Serbia, Saudi Arabia sign air transport agreement

BELGRADE - Serbian Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Aleksandra Sofronijevic and Mohammed Al-Rajab, executive vice president of air transport and international cooperation at Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation, signed an air transport agreement between Serbia and Saudi Arabia in Belgrade on Thursday.

The agreement makes it possible to establish direct flights between the capitals of the two countries, also laying the groundwork for more intensive cooperation and further development of economic relations between Serbia and Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure said in a statement.

"This step will further solidify Belgrade's position as a major regional transport hub, while contributing to and encouraging further development of relations between our countries, above all, in the infrastructure, agriculture, energy and mining sectors," Sofronijevic was quoted as saying.

In spite of the numerous domestic and global challenges, Serbia has succeeded in maintaining macroeconomic stability, which has made it one of the highest-growing economies in Europe, she said.

"It is important that we continue at this pace, especially as Serbia will host the prestigious EXPO 2027 event in 2027, while, on the other hand, Saudi Arabia is preparing EXPO 2030, which lends many opportunities for successful cooperation between the two countries," Sofronijevic added.