Uzbekistan and Serbia: Evolving from mutual trust to a strategic partnership

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s official visit to the Republic of Serbia on September 7-8 strengthened the dialogue based on mutual trust and respect that has developed between the two countries and outlined new prospects for cooperation.

The visit also focused on economic cooperation. In particular, the meeting of the Uzbekistan–Serbia Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation provided an important opportunity to translate existing agreements into practical projects, identify new areas of cooperation, and strengthen ties between the two countries’ business communities.

At the same time, given the economic potential and existing opportunities in both countries, there remains considerable scope to significantly increase bilateral trade. Therefore, in the next stage of cooperation, attracting investment, establishing joint ventures, expanding industrial cooperation, and entering new markets will be among the key priorities.

It is no coincidence that energy, investment, innovation, information technology and digital services, agriculture and the food industry, industrial cooperation, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and sports were identified as priority areas at the Intergovernmental Commission meeting. These sectors are important to both countries’ economies and offer significant opportunities to implement mutually beneficial joint projects.

Cooperation in innovation and IT services, in particular, could become one of the most promising areas. Today, digital technologies are no longer merely a separate sector of the economy but a key driver of development across all areas. In this context, combining the technological potential of Uzbekistan and Serbia could open up broad opportunities for new startups, digital services, innovative solutions, and high-value-added projects.

Establishing direct air links between the two countries would not only facilitate travel for citizens but also strengthen business ties, increase tourist flows, and develop educational and cultural relations.

Serbia’s position in Balkan region, its industrial and technological capabilities, and its close ties to European markets create new opportunities for Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan’s key objectives include expanding economic cooperation with European countries, diversifying export destinations, and entering new markets. In this regard, cooperation with Serbia could serve as an important economic bridge for Uzbekistan to European markets.

Uzbekistan is of significant interest to Serbia as a large, fast-growing market in Central Asia. This provides a strong foundation for their economic ties to complement each other. Most importantly, mutual trust and economic interests are increasingly aligning in relations between Uzbekistan and Serbia, creating a solid base for elevating their partnership to a higher, more advanced stage.

The presentation by the President of Serbia to the President of Uzbekistan of a special Serbian-language edition of the book The Mirziyoyev Doctrine during the visit also carried symbolic significance. The publication of the book in Serbian reflects growing interest among the Serbian public in Uzbekistan’s development path, the country’s large-scale reforms, and the political views of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Today, relations between Uzbekistan and Serbia are taking on new substance, grounded in strong political trust, mutual respect, and shared interests. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to Serbia was another practical manifestation of Uzbekistan’s open, pragmatic, and mutually beneficial foreign policy.

It can be said with confidence that the strengthening friendship between Uzbekistan and Serbia will open new dimensions of economic, technological, and humanitarian cooperation. This will not only strengthen friendship between the two peoples but also help expand Uzbekistan’s multifaceted, long-term cooperation with European countries.

Guljan KHALMURATOVA,

Deputy of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis,

Member of the UzLiDeP faction