Đurić: Serbia–Uzbekistan Partnership Opens New Political and Economic Opportunities

Summarizing his two-day visit to Tashkent, Minister Đurić emphasized that Serbia is gaining an important strategic partner in Central Asia, thanks to the intensification of relations following the visit of the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić and numerous contacts between the two sides in recent months.

“Serbia has gained a new strategic partner in Central Asia, and through this partnership we are creating opportunities for the future of the Serbian economy and Serbian foreign policy,” Đurić stated.

He assessed that it is of immense importance for Serbia to develop close relations with rapidly developing countries such as Uzbekistan, both in terms of economic cooperation and support on important state and national issues, including the issue of Kosovo and Metohija.

According to Minister Đurić, it is particularly significant that Serbia is among the first countries to establish strategic relations with Uzbekistan, adding that the partnership is founded on the good relations between the two presidents and strong institutional connectivity.

Đurić noted that during the visit he held talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov, while the Serbian delegation was also received by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, whom he described as a statesman enjoying considerable regional authority.

He added that the Serbian delegation also visited a technology park in Tashkent, developed through the reindustrialization of a former industrial zone, stressing that the project represents a model of potential interest for cooperation with Serbia.

Minister Đurić further stated that the delegation toured the Olympic Village in Tashkent, one of the largest sports complexes built by Uzbekistan in recent years at the initiative of President Mirziyoyev, which stands as a symbol of major state investments in sports. He added that discussions were also held on strengthening bilateral cooperation in this field.

“It was interesting to discuss ways to strengthen our ties in this sphere as well — perhaps through the engagement of Serbian basketball coaches on our side, while they could assist us in boxing and other sports that are traditionally strong here,” Đurić pointed out.

Đurić also announced a meeting with Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov.

The head of Serbian diplomacy stressed that all discussions during the visit were focused on achieving concrete results and that cooperation between the two countries is deepening across numerous areas.

He expressed his expectation that President Mirziyoyev will visit Serbia in the coming months, noting that he conveyed the warm greetings of President Vučić and Serbia’s readiness to continue strengthening its partnership with Uzbekistan in the future.