U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Mary Warlick said Friday that the opening of Cooper Tires factory n Krusevac is a testimony to the many opportunities Serbia can offer to foreign investors and of all the advantages and potentials for a still better trade cooperation with the country.

I know how much new investments and new jobs mean to Serbia. I am confident that this investment will contribute to a more prosperous future of the employees and their families, the people in Krusevac and Serbia, Warlick said at the opening ceremony.

She congratulated Serbian President Boris Tadic and Minister of Economy and Regional Development Nebojsa Ciric and their expert teams for the success they have achieved in bringing the U.S. company and its investments to Serbia. The U.S. ambassador pointed in particular to the favourable geo-strategic position of Serbia, a country which, she said, has skilled and educated workers.

Cooper Tires will manage to preserve the existing 450 workplaces in the company, but it also hopes to open new jobs, she underlined. Warlick recalled that a considerable amount of USAID funds granted to Serbia had been designated for improving the country's business climate and position on the global market.

This is an exceptional day for all of us, the U.S ambassador concluded.