Djuric meets with Mirziyoyev

TASHKENT - Serbian FM Marko Djuric met with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to discuss strengthening of ties between Belgrade and Tashkent and bringing closer the two countries and the two nations.

Djuric conveyed Serbia's clear commitment to continuing and expanding cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.

Noting that Serbia-Uzbekistan bilateral relations are traditionally good, friendly and without outstanding issues, Djuric and Mirziyoyev also touched upon Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's visit to Uzbekistan last year, noting a strong momentum it has brought to bilateral relations, the Serbian MFA said in a statement.

Djuric conveyed Vucic's invitation to Mirziyoyev to visit Serbia.

The minister noted that the two countries shared very close views on many important international issues.

He thanked Uzbekistan for supporting the safeguarding of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia.

Speaking about economic relations, Djuric said Uzbekistan, as a fast-growing economy, was an important partner to Serbia in its part of the world and that there was a clear intent to develop the cooperation further, boost bilateral trade and strengthen economic ties.

The fact Serbia and Uzbekistan have recently signed an agreement on economic cooperation is also a testimony to that, he noted.

Djuric also said Serbia highly appreciated a confirmation of Uzbekistan's participation in the specialised EXPO 2027, to be held in Belgrade.

Djuric: Through partnership with Uzbekistan, we are creating future for our economy, foreign policy

TASHKENT - Serbian FM Marko Djuric said on Thursday in Tashkent that, following government and presidential visits to Uzbekistan in recent months, Serbia was creating the future for its economy and foreign policy through a partnership with the Central Asian nation.

Djuric reiterated Serbia had a new strategic partner in Central Asia - the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The minister, who is on a two-day official trip to Uzbekistan, visited an IT park and the Olympic Village in Tashkent earlier in the day.

It is important to have fast-developing countries such as Uzbekistan on Serbia's side also when it comes to important state and national issues such as Kosovo-Metohija, as well as when it comes to a series of issues that are important for Serbia but are not merely political but also economic in nature, Djuric noted in a statement to reporters.

Commenting on Uzbekistan's development, he said Central Asian countries were developing at a fascinating pace.

He said the Austrian FM and other foreign officials were also visiting Uzbekistan as a growing economy in the region.

"That is why it is important that we are one of the first countries, that is why it is important that we have strategic relations, a strategic partnership, a friendship also based on exceptional relations between our presidents and on good networking between our systems," he said.

He added that the Tashkent IT park had been developed as an initiative to reindustrialise an old Soviet-era industrial zone that used to manufacture fridges and washing machines.

"Today, it manufactures a series of products, and there is a series of factories here that employ thousands of people," Djuric noted.

Djuric was welcomed by Uzbek Minister of Sports Adkham Ikramov at the Olympic Village.

"We visited the Olympic Village here in Tashkent - built at President Mirziyoyev's initiative - where phenomenal conditions have been created for athletes," he said.

"Investments in sports have transformed Uzbekistan from a country that had no notable achievements in sports into one that won 13 or 14 medals, including eight gold medals, at the last Olympic Games," Djuric said.

He said a Serbian delegation was also due to meet with Uzbek Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov later in the day.

"We are very pleased and we hope that we will have an opportunity to host President Mirziyoyev in our country in the coming months," noted Djuric, who met with top Uzbek officials during the visit to Tashkent.