BELGRADE, December 22. /Dunyo IA/.  During his working visit to Belgrade, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Hungary, Aybek Shakhavdinov, held meetings with representatives of the Serbian government aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation in key sectors, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

In particular, negotiations were held with Zlatibor Lončar, Minister of Health for the Republic of Serbia, during which both sides discussed the current state and future prospects of Uzbekistan-Serbia cooperation in the healthcare sector. The participants emphasized the importance of the consistent implementation of agreements reached at the highest level. The Serbian side reaffirmed its commitment to the practical implementation of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Cooperation in Medical Services, signed during President Aleksandar Vučić’s visit to Uzbekistan. Following the talks, both parties confirmed their mutual interest in expanding practical cooperation between the relevant agencies of the two countries and continuing dialogue on bilateral collaboration.

Negotiations were also held with Zoran Gajić, Minister of Sport of the Republic of Serbia, during which the prospects for Uzbekistan–Serbia cooperation in sports and physical culture were discussed. The Serbian Minister of Sports confirmed his readiness to enhance collaboration with Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Sports based on the Cooperation Protocol signed during the Uzbekistan-Serbia High-Level Summit. The Serbian side proposed the development of a joint action plan covering priority areas of bilateral cooperation. During the talks, both parties expressed mutual interest in expanding exchanges of coaching personnel, strengthening cooperation between sports federations, implementing joint educational programs, and collaborating in the fields of sports science and medicine.

During the visit, a meeting was also held with Dejan Vuk Stanković, Minister of Education of Serbia. The parties discussed the development of bilateral cooperation in education and academic exchanges, emphasizing the importance of strengthening links between relevant universities in both countries. Opportunities for joint educational programs, student and faculty exchanges, and collaborative projects in science and innovation were explored. The meeting concluded with an agreement to continue dialogue and coordinate practical steps for implementing joint initiatives, including online consultations between the ministries in 2026.

Additionally, negotiations took place with Snežana Paunović, Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government of Serbia, focusing on the prospects for bilateral cooperation in public administration and local governance, including experience-sharing, professional training and the introduction of modern digital technologies. Special attention was given to the development of internship and professional development programs for Uzbek civil servants as well as opportunities to strengthen cooperation between relevant institutions in both countries. The discussions also addressed Uzbekistan’s potential participation in preparations for EXPO 2027 in Belgrade, including the organization of a dedicated national pavilion.