Djuric, Uzbek deputy FM discuss bilateral relations, cooperation

BELGRADE - Serbian FM Marko Djuric met on Monday with Uzbek Deputy FM Muzaffarbek Madrakhimov, who is in Belgrade for a third round of bilateral political consultations between the Serbian and Uzbek MFAs.

Djuric said Serbia-Uzbekistan relations were on a strong upward trajectory thanks to intensive political dialogue and last year's historic visit to Uzbekistan by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, during which 12 bilateral documents were signed, the Serbian MFA said in a statement.

He noted that, this year, a delegation of the Serbian MFA had paid a successful visit to Tashkent, which he said was important for stepping up overall bilateral relations.

Djuric thanked Uzbekistan for its principled and consistent support for safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Serbia, noting that Serbia highly appreciated the position of the friendly country.

He also said he was pleased that Uzbekistan would be represented at a commemorative event that would mark the 65th anniversary of the first conference of the Non-Aligned Movement - held in Belgrade in 1961 - and that it would be taking part in the specialised EXPO 2027.

Djuric said there was significant space for further improvement of economic cooperation with Uzbekistan and welcomed an agreement to hold the first session of a bilateral commission on trade and economic and science and technical cooperation in Belgrade this year.

He highlighted the significance of an intent to open a Serbian embassy in Tashkent and launch direct flights between Belgrade and Tashkent and said those steps would contribute further to forging ties between the two countries and their economies.

Serbia sees Uzbekistan as one of its key partners in Central Asia, Djuric said.

He expressed the confidence that continued regular political consultations, strengthening of economic and parliamentary ties, as well as implementation of agreed joint projects, would contribute to further deepening of friendly relations and to building a strategic partnership between the two countries, the statement said.