PM Madbouly made these remarks during a joint press conference at Egypt's New Administrative Capital following extended bilateral talks.
During the press conference, Madbouly welcomed Macut on his first official visit to Egypt, also his first international visit since assuming office.
“We held a fruitful round of bilateral talks characterized by openness and mutual understanding,” Madbouly said.
“Our discussions covered priority areas in our bilateral relations as well as pressing regional and international developments,” he added.
The Egyptian prime minister said the talks emphasized the importance of strengthening economic and trade ties, particularly after signing a free trade agreement during the Serbian president’s visit to Cairo in July 2024. Both parliaments have since ratified the deal.
During their meeting, Madbouly expressed hope that the agreement, once in effect, would significantly increase bilateral trade volumes.
He also highlighted the potential for cooperation in key manufacturing sectors and described the Egypt-Serbia Business Forum as a platform to expand trade, industry, and investment collaboration.
He invited Serbian companies to participate in infrastructure and construction projects in Egypt, citing Egyptian firms' experience in regional markets.
For his part, Minister of Labor Mohamed Gobran proposed sending trained Egyptian workers to Serbia, pointing to Egypt’s experience in large-scale infrastructure projects.
The meeting also highlighted that a draft agreement is being prepared to ease work permits for Egyptian nationals, making Egypt the first country to sign such an agreement with Serbia.
The two sides discussed collaborating on agriculture and food security, especially given the global challenges in the sector.
Egypt expressed interest in increasing agricultural trade with Serbia, underscoring the Balkan nation’s strong crop production and food processing potential.
The PM called for expanding trade in agricultural commodities, particularly Serbian wheat, corn, and sunflower oil.
Additionally, both agriculture ministers were directed to enhance coordination and develop this file.
Madbouly also welcomed Serbia’s plans to open a trade representation office at its embassy in Cairo.
PM Madbouly added that the business forum would showcase promising investment opportunities in Egypt, particularly in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, and outline the incentives Egypt offers foreign investors.
He also pointed to opportunities for cooperation in renewable energy and green hydrogen production.
He discussed opportunities for cooperation in natural gas, highlighting Egypt’s LNG capabilities and Serbia’s recent completion of a pipeline connection with Bulgaria.
Furthermore, they discussed enhancing tourism and cultural cooperation, building on the recent visit of Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities to Belgrade.
Both leaders agreed that tourism flows and direct flights between Cairo and Belgrade, whether through Air Serbia, EgyptAir, or Air Cairo, need to be boosted.
Madbouly also supported the resumption of direct Air Serbia flights to Cairo and proposed simplifying visa procedures for tourists, workers, and business professionals to improve travel and investment flow between the two countries.
The premier confirmed that preparations are ongoing for the 19th session of the Egypt-Serbia Joint Economic Committee in the second half of 2025.
Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy reviewed opportunities for cultural exchange and joint tourism programmes.
Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouk also discussed means to expand wheat, corn, and sunflower oil trade.
For his part, PM Macut expressed his country's readiness to expand cooperation with Egypt across multiple sectors, including tourism, education, culture, agriculture, water resource management, and infrastructure.
Macut urged Egyptian companies to participate in infrastructure projects in Serbia, affirming that the two countries enjoy longstanding ties dating back over 70 years.
He said several Serbian companies are interested in working in Egypt.
Regional issues
PM Madbouly stressed both countries' support for peaceful solutions, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of all countries across the Middle East.
He warned against the dangers of the current regional escalation, noting that it could spiral into widespread destruction and all-out war.
Moreover, he reiterated Egypt’s position on the Palestinian cause, describing it as central to regional stability.
“We stressed the importance of recognizing the Palestinian people's right to establish an independent state on the 4 June 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital,” Madbouly said.
He also thanked Serbia for voting in favor of Palestine’s bid for full UN membership.
The Egyptian premier affirmed Egypt’s support for Serbia’s sovereignty and stability in the Western Balkans and its role in the Open Balkan initiative.
He also expressed his appreciation for Serbia’s support for Egypt’s candidate for the position of UNESCO director-general, Dr. Khaled El-Enany, ahead of the October elections.
The two prime ministers co-chaired the Egypt-Serbia Economic Forum on 17 June, in the presence of representatives of Egyptian and Serbian business organizations.
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