Serbian-Egyptian relations, spanning 116 years, have fostered a unique historical connection between the two nations.
Ambassador of Serbia to Egypt Miroslav Šestović, in a statement to Ahram Online, said that the upcoming visit on 13 July of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić to Egypt is arranged to translate the bilateral strategic partnership that was declared earlier by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi in Serbia July 2022 into the realm of economy.
The signing of a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA), together with nine other agreements in different fields of cooperation, will be the highlight of the visit.
Bilateral relations between the two countries are well coordinated in multilateral international frameworks and represent an authentic extension of the historical role on the international level in establishing and leading the Non-Aligned Movement, which reflects positively on strengthening all fields.
The FTA is set to establish a new paradigm in bilateral economic cooperation that will unleash the full potential of our economies, serving the interests of both countries, Šestović said.
"Not less important is that the visit will reaffirm the fact that friendships based on mutual respect are of timeless value. Likewise, the relations between states based on the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and international law, such as equality, non-interference, peaceful resolution of conflicts, respect of territorial integrity and sovereignty, as is the case with Egypt and Serbia, will persist in the face of all challenges and crises," Šestović added.
For his part, Dragan Bisenic, the former Serbian ambassador in Cairo, described Egypt as a jewel in the crown of Serbian diplomacy.
Back in 1908, Serbia opened its first diplomatic and commercial representative office in Khedive Ismail Square, today Tahrir Square. Since then, cooperation and friendship between the two countries have been continuously developing, he added.
"The visit of the President of Serbia is the first to Egypt after the great changes of 2013 and the full transformation of the new Egypt. Let's remember that Serbia was the only European country that immediately supported the 'Road Map' in 2013, which marked the path of the new Egypt," noted Bisenic.
This is a return visit to President Sisi's visit to Serbia two years ago, the first of an Egyptian president to Belgrade after 1987, he explained.
This visit of the President of Serbia will be his first to an African country as part of the new strategy for Serbia's presence in Africa, which he recently announced, Bisenic stated.
Starting from Cairo, we see the special position that Egypt has at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, simultaneously realizing the numerous opportunities for joint action, as Belgrade and Cairo did in a history that can be continued, he further said.
"Both countries are facing new circumstances and complex challenges in the world, and what both countries have in common is that they maintain and lead their own independent policy, which is our hallmark," said Bisenic.
Strong Ties
El-Sisi’s visit to Serbia and the qualitative leap it led to in the volume of political coordination, economic, and cultural cooperation strengthened ties between the two countries.
Vučić awarded El-Sisi the Order of the Republic of Serbia. Both countries maintained the relations that had been established between the Egyptian Khedive and the Kingdom of Serbia since 1908.
Egyptian-Serbian relations also witnessed unprecedented prosperity during the fifties and sixties, the era of the Non-Aligned Movement and the accompanying close ties between the Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel-Nasser and Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito.
Recently, there has been increasing joint coordination in multilateral organizations and forums and on international and regional levels, including the economic and humanitarian repercussions of the Israeli war on Gaza, Serbia's appreciation for Egypt's pivotal role in the Middle East region, and Egyptian efforts to reach a ceasefire.
Both countries stressed the necessity of stopping the ongoing war in Gaza, as well as consulting on developments in the political situation in the Western Balkans and the efforts of the international community to achieve stability.
Cairo and Belgrade are keen to boost cooperation in various fields, including military cooperation relations, and to support the two countries' nominations for international positions.
Promising Economic Cooperation
Egypt and Serbia are highly interested in revitalizing economic relations and export movement to increase the rates of trade exchange. The volume of trade exchange in 2022 reached $113.59 million, compared to about $79.74 million during 2021, achieving a 42.5 percent increase.
Among the most important Egyptian exports to Serbia are dried beans, fresh oranges, cotton threads, plants and their parts, boards, and sheets, while the most Egyptian imports from Serbia are yellow corn seeds, chopped tobacco, beech wood, tractors, paper and cardboard, protein materials, and pneumatic outer tires.
The Serbian market is considered a hub for Egyptian exports to access the markets of eastern and southern European countries. Moreover, there is a great opportunity to increase Egyptian exports to Serbia, especially petrochemical products, medical preparations, salt, polyethylene, building materials, and engineering goods.
Egypt seeks to import wheat and grains too, as the quality of Serbian wheat is well known, and the two countries are working on enhancing cooperation in the areas of development of small and medium enterprises, industrial training, and the establishment of logistical areas.
Cultural and Tourism Cooperation
Egypt and Serbia pay great attention to enhancing cultural and tourism cooperation, as Egypt is the second most popular destination after Greece for Serbs. Sharm El-Sheikh has become a favourite among Serbs.
There are also twinning agreements between Egyptian and Serbian cities, such as the Serbian city of Niš and the Egyptian city of Sharm El-Sheikh, and between the city of Dahab in South Sinai and the city of Jagodina in Serbia.
In addition, direct flights operate between Sharm El-Sheikh and the cities of Niš and Belgrade, similar to the Belgrade-Hurghada line, to stimulate tourism.
The cultural exchange has also strengthened the Egyptian cultural presence in Serbia. Many Egyptian literary works have been translated into the Serbian language, the most prominent of which are the novels "The Days" and "The Curlew's Prayer" by Taha Hussein, "ΑΙ-Harafish" by Naguib Mahfouz, and "A Spot of Light" and "My Aunt Safiya and The Monastery" by Bahaa Taher, among many other Egyptian literary works.
Moreover, Egypt has participated in numerous Serbian cultural events, mainly Egypt's participation as a guest of honour in the Belgrade International Book Fair.
The most recent activities include the "Days of Serbian Culture in Egypt," held under the auspices of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture and its Serbian counterpart, on the occasion of the 116th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
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