TASHKENT, September 8. /Dunyo IA/. On September 7-8^th, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev is on an official visit to Serbia, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

Relations between Uzbekistan and Serbia have been developing steadily in recent years, encompassing political dialogue, interparliamentary ties, trade and economic cooperation, and humanitarian relations, gradually evolving into a multifaceted partnership.

An important feature of Uzbek-Serbian relations is the two countries’ mutual respect, consideration of national interests, and commitment to cooperation within international organizations, which provide a solid political foundation for bilateral dialogue.

Serbia recognized Uzbekistan’s independence on December 31, 1991, while diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on January 18, 1995. Thus, 30 years have passed since the establishment of official relations. Although bilateral ties were relatively limited at the initial stage, significant progress has been observed in recent years, particularly in 2025–2026.

One of the key areas remains the intensification of high-level political dialogue. The approaches of both countries, based on respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national interests, play an important role in this process.

On September 3, 2025, Presidents of Uzbekistan and Serbia held a brief conversation in Beijing during events dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in World War II. Following this meeting, contacts between the leaders of the two countries reached a new level.

An important milestone was the official visit of President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić to Uzbekistan on October 28–30, 2025. The visit created new opportunities to strengthen political dialogue, expand economic ties, and develop humanitarian cooperation.

During the visit, an agreement was signed on establishing partnership relations between Tashkent and Belgrade, demonstrating that bilateral ties are developing not only at the governmental level but also between the two cities.

Another important step in strengthening diplomatic relations was Uzbekistan’s appointment of its first ambassador to Serbia in 2025. This created additional conditions for intensifying direct diplomatic dialogue with Belgrade.

Serbia has also sought to expand its diplomatic engagement with Uzbekistan. On October 27, 2025, Serbia’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan, with residence in Moscow, Momčilo Babić, presented his credentials to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan.

In 2021, the next round of political consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries was held in Tashkent. In 2022, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session, the foreign ministers signed a protocol on political consultations and interagency cooperation, strengthening the legal framework for cultural and humanitarian interaction.

In April 2026, the foreign ministers of the two countries held talks on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, while from May 5–7, Foreign Minister of Serbia Marko Đurić visited Uzbekistan. These contacts demonstrate that political dialogue is becoming regular.

The existence of a political consultation mechanism and its regular functioning provide an opportunity to systematically develop foreign policy cooperation between the two countries.

The importance of interparliamentary diplomacy has also been growing. An interparliamentary group on cooperation with the National Assembly of Serbia has been established in the chambers of Uzbekistan’s Oliy Majlis.

In June 2026, Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan Tanzila Narbayeva visited Belgrade. In the same month, a delegation of the Serbia–Uzbekistan Parliamentary Friendship Group of the National Assembly of Serbia visited Uzbekistan, demonstrating the practical development of parliamentary dialogue.

The intensification of interparliamentary cooperation can contribute to strengthening political trust, exchanging legislative experience, and expanding the legal framework for bilateral agreements.

Trade and economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and Serbia remains relatively modest, but has significant potential. Through Serbia, Uzbekistan can expand its ties with other Balkan countries, including Croatia, Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Slovenia.

Uzbekistan’s exports mainly consist of non-ferrous metals and products made from them, fabrics, yarn, and services. Imports from Serbia are dominated by products made of stone, ceramics and gypsum, furniture, services, and other goods.

Currently, nine enterprises with Serbian investment are operating in Uzbekistan. Four are joint ventures, while five are enterprises with foreign investment. These figures remain significantly below the existing potential and indicate considerable room for expanding investment cooperation.

Cooperation in the transport sector is also gaining momentum. In February 2026, during a visit by the leadership of “O’zbekiston temir yo’llari” JSC to Serbia, talks were held with representatives of Serbia’s ministries responsible for finance, construction, transport and infrastructure, as well as with the leadership of Serbian Railways Infrastructure and Air Serbia.

Cultural and humanitarian cooperation remains another promising area, contributing to greater mutual understanding and people-to-people dialogue between the two countries.

New opportunities for cooperation in education, science and culture emerged following talks between Presidents Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Aleksandar Vučić in Tashkent on October 28, 2025, which resulted in the signing of relevant documents.

Promoting Uzbek culture in Serbia, as well as presenting Serbian culture and art in Uzbekistan, is of particular importance. Cultural days, exhibitions, concerts, film screenings, theater tours, creative meetings, and master classes can provide effective platforms for cultural exchange.

Cinema is another promising area. Creative teams from the two countries are implementing a joint film project titled “From Al-Khwarizmi to Tesla”, focusing on the lives and scientific legacies of the great scholars and inventors Al-Khwarizmi and Nikola Tesla. The project provides an opportunity to highlight more broadly the contribution of both peoples to the development of science and civilization.

Assessing the current state of Uzbek-Serbian relations, it is important to note the significant intensification of political dialogue in recent years. Contacts between the heads of state, negotiations between foreign ministries, interparliamentary ties, and increased activity of diplomatic missions demonstrate growing political trust.

In particular, developments in 2025–2026 indicate the beginning of a new stage in relations between Uzbekistan and Serbia. Aleksandar Vučić’s official visit to Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan’s appointment of its first ambassador to Serbia, and regular meetings between the foreign ministers are strengthening the institutional foundation of bilateral relations.

Overall, relations between Uzbekistan and Serbia are entering a new stage based on mutual respect, political trust, and common interests. The next task is to transform the accumulated political capital into concrete results in the economic, investment, and humanitarian spheres.

Uzbekistan–Serbia relations are important not only for bilateral cooperation but also for expanding economic and diplomatic ties between Central Asia and Southeastern Europe.

Photo from the archive of the Press Service of the President of Uzbekistan