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Relations between Uzbekistan and Serbia have entered a new phase as President Shavkat Mirziyoyev hosted Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic for talks at the Kuksaroy residence on October 29. The meeting marked the first summit in the history of Uzbek-Serbian cooperation and coincided with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations. President Mirziyoyev warmly welcomed his Serbian counterpart, describing the visit as a “historic event” that would bring bilateral ties to a qualitatively new level. “Uzbekistan has great sympathy for Serbia. Our peoples are bound by strong ties of friendship and a similar mentality,” Mirziyoyev said. During the negotiations, the two leaders discussed prospects for deepening practical cooperation across a wide range of areas. Priority attention was given to expanding trade and preparing a comprehensive cooperation program in sectors such as mechanical engineering, pharmaceuticals, the chemical industry, IT and digitalization, the agro-industrial complex, and tourism. The presidents also stressed the importance of developing new transport and logistics routes connecting Central Asia and the Balkans, particularly through the Trans-Caspian corridor. To further economic cooperation, an agreement was reached to hold the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission in Tashkent next year. The discussions also covered collaboration in organized labor migration, education, culture, and humanitarian affairs, as well as exchanges of views on key regional and international issues. Following the talks, President Mirziyoyev and President Vucic signed a Joint Declaration outlining the shared vision for the future of bilateral relations. A ceremony was held to sign a package of intergovernmental and interagency agreements aimed at expanding cooperation in multiple fields. The signed documents include: Agreement on the Mutual Promotion and Protection of Investments;Agreement on Economic Cooperation;Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Medical Services;Agreement on Cooperation in Tourism;Agreement on Cooperation in Education, Science, and Culture;Agreement on Cooperation in Engineering, Advanced Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, and Related Areas;Protocol on Cooperation in the Training of Diplomatic Personnel;Programme of Cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs for 2026–2027;Memorandum of Cooperation in the Field of Labor Migration;Protocol on Cooperation in Sports and Physical Culture;Agreement on Establishing Partnership Relations between the Cities of Tashkent and Belgrade. The summit highlighted the mutual commitment of Uzbekistan and Serbia to strengthen their political dialogue, enhance economic connectivity, and foster cultural and humanitarian exchanges.
