Uzbekistan, Serbia intend to expand bilateral cooperation

TASHKENT. Oct 29 (Interfax) - The prospects of strengthening Uzbek-Serbian cooperation were discussed in talks recently held in Tashkent between Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, the Uzbek media reported on Wednesday.

"Priority attention was given to increasing trade, preparing a large-scale program for cooperation in key areas such as machine-building, pharmaceuticals, chemical industry, IT and digitalization, agro-industrial sector, tourism, and many others," the report said.

The importance of developing new transport routes connecting Central Asia and the Balkans, including the Trans-Caspian Route, was noted.

To promote the economic cooperation agenda, an agreement was reached to hold the first session of the intergovernmental commission in Tashkent next year. Issues concerning interaction in organized labor migration, cultural, humanitarian and education spheres were discussed.

The presidents signed a joint declaration following the talks. A ceremony to sign a package of intergovernmental and interagency documents took place in the presence of the leaders. In particular, agreements on mutual encouragement and protection of investments, on economic cooperation, on cooperation in medical services, education, science, culture and tourism were signed. The sides also intend to build partnership in engineering, advanced technologies, artificial intelligence and related areas. A program of cooperation between the Foreign Ministries for 2026-2027 and a memorandum of cooperation in labor migration were signed as well.

According to earlier reports, Vucic is paying an official visit to Uzbekistan on October 28-31. During his stay in Uzbekistan, Vucic will attend the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference, which will take place in Samarkand, as an honored guest.