Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited Serbia on September 7–8 on an official visit at the invitation of President Aleksandar Vučić. It was the first official visit by Mirziyoyev to Serbia.
Following talks in Belgrade, Uzbekistan and Serbia established strategic partnership relations. Mirziyoyev and Vučić signed a corresponding Joint Declaration.
In addition to the declaration, the two sides exchanged a number of bilateral documents. They cover trade, transport, labor migration, agriculture, energy, pharmaceuticals, digitalization, railway infrastructure and other areas.
Free trade and industry
One of the documents provides for the establishment of a working group to begin negotiations on a free trade agreement. At this stage, the agreement concerns the start of the negotiation process, rather than a concluded free trade agreement.
The Uzbek side said that it is important to prepare and adopt a free trade agreement, develop cooperation in standardization, and organize cross exhibitions.
In industry, projects have been identified in the production of auto components, equipment, electrical engineering and electronics. Uzbekistan and Serbia adopted an Action Plan for the Development of Industrial Partnership for 2026–2028.
At the business forum held in Belgrade after the presidents’ talks, Vučić separately spoke about opportunities for cooperation in technology parks, artificial intelligence and biotechnology.
“The progress of Uzbekistan is incredible, especially in the development of technology parks, artificial intelligence and biotechnology. Our cooperation in these areas will allow us to continue developing and achieve serious results,” Vučić said, noting opportunities for joint work in these fields.
Transport and the Middle Corridor
Separate documents concern international road transportation of passengers and cargo, railway infrastructure and cooperation in support of the Middle Corridor.
New joint projects in transport and logistics were also discussed.
Uzbekistan views participation in international transport projects as one of the ways to expand its foreign economic ties. During the visit, the Uzbek side did not disclose specific details of future projects, their cost or the volume of investment.
Labor migration
One of the documents signed was an agreement on mobility and labor migration.
During the talks, it was noted that the Serbian side is interested in systematic cooperation in the field of organized labor migration. Other details of the agreement, including the expected number of workers and specific sectors, were not provided in the Uzbek side’s published statement.
Other areas
The agreements and arrangements cover agriculture and water management, sustainable rural development, customs cooperation, renewable energy and green technologies, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, tourism and cultural travel, information and communication technologies, digitalization and e-government, environmental protection and economic diplomacy.
The two sides also agreed to cooperate in cinematography and joint film production, culture for 2026–2028, occupational safety and the protection of people with disabilities.
In interregional cooperation, partnership relations were established between Samarkand Region and the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina.
Uzbekistan also confirmed its participation in EXPO 2027 in Belgrade with a national pavilion.
What changed at the diplomatic level
Before the visit, relations between the two countries had developed in separate areas, including political contacts, trade and humanitarian cooperation. During the visit, they were given the formal status of a strategic partnership.
Vučić described the partnership with Uzbekistan as “strategically important” for Serbia.
The Serbian president also said that “Serbia and Uzbekistan today represent one of the strong links between Southeast Europe and Central Asia.”
At the talks, Mirziyoyev, in turn, noted the intensification of political dialogue, interparliamentary ties, trade and economic cooperation, as well as business and humanitarian exchanges.
To implement the agreements, the two sides intend to adopt a separate comprehensive roadmap.
The symbolic side of the visit
The visit was accompanied by several symbolic gestures by Serbia.
On the evening of September 7, the Kula Belgrade skyscraper was illuminated in the colors of the Uzbek national flag.
On September 8, Vučić presented Mirziyoyev with the Order of the Republic of Serbia on a Grand Collar. According to the Serbian president, the award recognized Mirziyoyev’s personal contribution to the development of relations between the two countries.
The same day, the presidents took part in the presentation of the Tashkent Street in Belgrade.
Vučić also presented Mirziyoyev with a Serbian-language edition of the book “The Mirziyoyev Doctrine.”
The visit concluded with the signing of the strategic partnership declaration and a package of bilateral documents. The practical results of the agreements will depend on their further implementation.
It should be recalled that Uzbekistan provides visa-free entry for Serbian citizens for stays of up to 30 days. Citizens of Uzbekistan holding ordinary passports require a visa to travel to Serbia. At the same time, Serbia allows visa-free entry for up to 90 days within a six-month period to holders of valid Schengen, UK, US or EU member-state visas, as well as holders of valid residence permits in the Schengen Area, the EU or the United States.
