Mirziyoyev: Serbian delegation's visit to Tashkent historic event, opens new stage

TASHKENT, - Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said on Tuesday a visit to Tashkent by a Serbian delegation headed by President Aleksandar Vucic was a historic event 30 years after the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, and noted that he believed it would open a new stage in further bilateral cooperation.

Mirziyoyev said Uzbekistan had respect and sympathy for the Serbs and pointed out that his country would take part in EXPO 2027 Belgrade.

"This is the first top-level summit in the entire period of our cooperation and I am certain it will mark a new stage in the relations between our states," Mirziyoyev said at a meeting between Serbian and Uzbek delegations at Tashkent's Kuksaroy state residence.

He said the visit demonstrated Vucic's advocacy of further development and strengthening of the friendship and multi-layered partnership between Serbia and Uzbekistan.

He said that, as a result of discussions with the Serbian delegation, he expected successful cooperation in new areas.

Mirziyoyev congratulated Serbia on its successful bid to host EXPO 2027 in Belgrade.

"Serbia has become the leading IT hub in eastern Europe and a very important automotive industry hub. We see that clearly and we are sincerely glad about that. We are developing similar industry sectors in Uzbekistan and we have already announced plans to form an alliance for development of artificial intelligence. We intend to set up a cluster for further development of that field as it is an extremely important sector for modern development of the entire country," he said.

Vucic will be on an official visit to Uzbekistan until October 31.