Vucic: Serbia dependable energy partner, open to UAE investors

ABU DHABI - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi Serbia was a dependable energy partner and open to all investors and ready to offer the best possible terms to them.

Vucic was speaking at an Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026 panel.

Asked by the moderator what his message about Serbia as an energy partner and an investment destination for the next decade was, Vucic responded that, unlike others, he did not say only good things about his own country.

He added that he was trying to "depict the situation in Serbia in a realistic way" and to "attract all investors, providing the very best terms for them, including subsidies, different types of incentives and real care from the state."

"If you come to Serbia, if you are, let's say, a Masdar representative, you can discuss all the issues with everybody within the state apparatus, including myself," Vucic said, adding that this meant all investors were considered very welcome in Serbia.

He also said Serbia expected a greater presence of UAE state- and privately-owned companies in the coming years.

"We have proven ourselves as a true friend, a brotherly country, but also we are a good area, a good region for investing money and earning good profits," Vucic concluded.

After the ADSW 2026 panel, Vucic wrapped up a visit to UAE, during which he also met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan earlier in the day.

On Tuesday, he met with UAE Deputy PM and FM Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and attended the ADSW 2026 opening ceremony.

Vucic: I hope both Hungary and UAE will be involved in NIS acquisition

ABU DHABI - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi he hoped both Hungary and the UAE would be involved in an acquisition of the Russian stake in the Serbian oil company NIS and added that he believed a solution was not far.

NIS is under US sanctions due to its Russian majority ownership.

Vucic was speaking at a panel on partnership and cooperation in the energy sector, held as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026.

Asked to comment on progress in negotiations about a sale of the Russian stake in the company and on speculation that both Hungary and the UAE were involved in the talks, Vucic responded:

"I cannot say absolutely everything before they send their letter with the term sheets to the OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) in the US, but I hope that both will be involved in that, and I believe we are not far from a possible solution," he said.

Vucic meets with UAE president in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, noting that Serbia and the UAE shared a common vision of the future that was based on peace, development, innovation and mutual trust.

"We are not connected only by the successful cooperation today, but also by a clear ambition to together build a stable, modern and prosperous future for generations to come. This friendship and this partnership represent a strong foundation for even stronger and closer cooperation in the years ahead, to the benefit of all our citizens," Vucic wrote in a post on his buducnostsrbijeav Instagram account.

He added that the discussion with bin Zayed had addressed advancement of economic cooperation, additional possibilities for transferring technologies and implementation of joint projects.

"I especially highlighted the significance of UAE investments in Serbia, in agriculture, energy and major infrastructure projects, which strongly contribute to development and change the face of our country," Vucic added.

He noted that it was an immense honour and pleasure to meet and speak with the UAE president, one of the most significant world leaders and a sincere friend of Serbia.

"I thanked him for the hospitality and, above all, for the respect and support he is showing to Serbia and our people. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed is a statesman from whom I have learned much over the years about responsible and wise state governance that is sustainable over the long term, in the belief that a country's strength does not depend only on natural resources, but primarily on vision and leadership," Vucic added.

He noted that they had also exchanged views on the current regional and global situation, with particular emphasis on preservation of peace and stability.