Djuric: Visit to Benin additional impetus to Serbian presence in Africa

PORTO-NOVO - Serbian FM Marko Djuric says his visit to Benin is an additional impetus to Serbia's presence in Africa and that strengthening ties with countries such as Benin is important to Belgrade due to the Kosovo-Metohija issue, as well as for Serbia's positioning within Europe.

"Minister Djuric described Benin as a land of great opportunities, boasting an annual economic growth rate exceeding seven percent. Strategically located along key corridors linking some of the world's largest and most resource-rich nations, Benin is also, he noted, a haven of political stability and peace," the Serbian MFA said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Serbia and Benin are highly complementary partners, especially in areas such as industry, high technology, and the defense sector — fields in which Serbia has much to offer, particularly in friendly nations such as Benin," Djuric said after meeting with Beninese Parliament Speaker Louis Vlavonou.

"He recalled the historic friendship that began during the presidency of Josip Broz Tito and underlined that modern-day Serbia, thanks to the vision of President Aleksandar Vucic, has become one of the economic frontrunners in its part of the world. Serbia, he added, is keeping pace with a continent that holds immense demographic and economic potential for Europe as a whole.

Minister Djuric stressed that strengthening ties with countries such as Benin is a key element of Serbia’s broader strategy for developing its relations with Africa. He placed particular emphasis on the relevance of these relations in the context of the Kosovo-Metohija issue, as well as in Serbia’s broader positioning within Europe.

He stated that, by building partnerships such as the one with Benin, Serbia is establishing itself as a bridge between Europe and Africa — a continent of vast opportunity.

During the visit, Minister Djuric reported tangible progress in opening doors for Serbian businesses and in advancing key national interests. The visit, he said, left a positive impression, and as a result of intensive meetings with numerous ministers and political leaders in Benin, further political dialogue is expected, alongside the signing of agreements in the fields of culture and defense, as well as Benin’s participation in Expo 2027 in Belgrade," the MFA said.

Djuric concluded that the visit represented "another step in affirming the image of a new, modern Serbia — one that is developing, advancing, and building friendships across all continents."

"He expressed confidence that the visit also helped dispel, at least in part, negative propaganda that, as he noted, some others had attempted to spread about Serbia in this part of Africa," the MFA also said.