The German Embassy in Belgrade and the European Movement in Serbia opened competition 'Welcome to Germany' on Wednesday, for the fifth year in a row.

The competition would be open from June 22 to September 10 and it should enable 60 socially active BA and MA students from Serbia, aged up to 25, to spend two weeks in a study visit to Germany and get to know more about the EU founding country and its political, economic and cultural characteristics. The students would be divided in two groups, the first of which would visit Germany in October and the second one in November.

During a news conference to mark the signing of an agreement with the European Movement regarding the competition opening, German Ambassador to Serbia Wolfram Maas pointed out that Germany is assisting Serbia on its EU path and is its major donor.

He said that when Germany speaks about assisting Serbia, it puts such statements to practice.

Maas said that it is important for young Serbs to get to know Europe from their personal perspective, which is why the programme was established.

Since 2007, when the programme was initiated, a total of 240 faculty students and 150 high school pupils had a chance to visit Germany.

Secretary General of the European Movement in Serbia Maja Bobic underscored that Germany is Serbia's important partner and that investing in the young, which is the purpose of this programme, is practically and symbolically the most important support Germany is giving to Serbia.

During their stay in Germany, Serbian students would have a chance to confer with German politicians, ministry representatives, German students and professors.