On November 25, 2013, H.E. Sani Dermaku, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia, presented the Letter of Credentials to H.E. Ivan Gasparovic, President of the Slovak Republic, during the official ceremony at Grassalkovich Palace. During the meeting, it was jointly noted that two countries have traditionally good and friendly relations. President Gasparovic said that Serbia is a key country in the Western Balkans, and reiterated the readiness of Slovakia to give support to Serbia on its way to the EU. Ambassador Dermaku thanked the Slovak Republic for supporting Serbia in its European integration as well as its stance on non recognizing Kosovo's unilaterally declared independence. Ambassador Dermaku added that Serbia sees Slovakia as a close friend.