Serbia and Uzbekistan strike strategic partnership in Mirziyoyev's first Belgrade visit

Uzbekistan and Serbia signed a strategic partnership declaration in Belgrade on Tuesday, with the two countries' presidents agreeing 20 bilateral agreements covering trade, transport, energy, digitalisation and labour mobility during Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's first official visit to Serbia.

Mirziyoyev and his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vučić held talks before attending a business forum that brought together more than 200 government and business representatives from both countries, where they signed further commercial agreements.

"Serbia and Uzbekistan are two countries separated by thousands of kilometres, yet they are close in spirit, sharing a deep appreciation for hospitality, honour and mutual respect. Today, they are writing a new chapter in their shared history," Vučić said.

Mirziyoyev called the decision to establish a strategic partnership historic.

"Today, we made a historic decision to establish a strategic partnership between Serbia and Uzbekistan. Once again, this shows that this is a historic visit and that we have made a historic decision," Mirziyoyev said.

Bilateral trade reached a record $41.9 million last year, up 27% from $32.9 million in 2024, according to the Serbian Chamber of Commerce.

Serbian exports of agricultural and food products to Uzbekistan rose 54.1% in the first seven months of 2026.

The two governments are now preparing negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement, with a working group established for that purpose.

The 20 documents signed cover international road and rail transport, agriculture and water management, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, tourism, culture, IT and digitalisation, labour migration, occupational health, environmental protection, cinema and joint film production, and support for people with disabilities.

Vučić said a direct air link between Belgrade and Tashkent could be operational within seven to eight months.

The countries also agreed on an industrial cooperation action plan for 2026-2028.

With transport connectivity a major priority for both countries, Serbia and Uzbekistan signed documents in support of the Middle Corridor, the trans-Caspian trade route linking Central Asia to Europe through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey.

The corridor has gained strategic importance since Russia's war in Ukraine disrupted the northern overland route through Russian territory.

Vučić awarded Mirziyoyev Serbia's highest state decoration, the Order of the Republic of Serbia on a Grand Collar, and the two presidents attended a ceremony naming a Belgrade street after Tashkent.