Azerbaijan-Serbia relations
The former Yugoslavia recognized the independence of Azerbaijan on December 31, 1991, and bilateral diplomatic relations between the Union of Serbia and Montenegro and the Republic of Azerbaijan were established on August 21, 1997.
On March 25, 2010, the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Republic of Serbia was established. Serbia was represented in Azerbaijan through the Embassy in Turkey.
In February 2011, the Embassy of Serbia in the Republic of Azerbaijan was opened.
On May 3, 2021, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia Dragan Vladisavlyevich presented his credentials to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E.Mr. Ilham Aliyev.
On August 25, 2021, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan Kamil Khasiyev presented his credentials to the President of the Republic of Serbia, H.E.Mr. Aleksandar Vucic.
Intergovernmental Commission
The Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Serbia, established in June 2011, has held six meetings so far. The Azerbaijani co-chair of the commission is the Minister of Labor and Social Protection Mr. Sahil Babayev, and the Serbian co-chair is the Foreign Minister Mr.Nikola Selakovic. The sixth meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission was held on July 25-27, 2021 in Baku.
Inter-parliamentary relations
There is an Azerbaijani-Serbian inter-parliamentary friendship group.
Information on bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Serbia
In the political sphere:
Azerbaijan and Serbia have strategic partnership relations covering all areas. During the official visit of the President of the Republic of Serbia H.E.Mr.Tomislav Nikolic to Azerbaijan on February 7-9, 2013, the Presidents of the two countries signed the "Declaration on Friendship and Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Serbia".
During the official visit of the President of the Republic of Serbia H.E.Mr.Aleksandar Vucic to Azerbaijan on May 21-22, 2018, the "Joint Action Plan on Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Serbia" was signed.
Azerbaijan and Serbia support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries on the basis of norms and principles of international law. In February 2013, the draft "Resolution on the observance of international law and the peaceful settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict" was put on the agenda of the Serbian Parliament.
Bilateral friendly relations and cooperation are also reflected in multilateral platforms within international organizations. An example of this is the mutual support of countries within international organizations for their positions based on the norms and principles of international law.
It should be noted that a high-level event dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement was organized by Azerbaijan and Serbia in Belgrade on October 10-11, 2021. The successful implementation of this large-scale event, which is attended by high-ranking representatives of about 120 countries and international organizations, is a clear example of joint cooperation between Azerbaijan and Serbia.
The main agreements and contracts signed in the political sphere:
- Joint Declaration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the President of the Republic of Serbia. Baku, May 13, 2010.
- Protocol on cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia. Baku, May 13, 2010.
- Declaration on friendly relations and strategic partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Serbia. Baku, February 8, 2013.
- Joint Action Plan on Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Serbia. October 12, 2018.
- Memorandum of Understanding on political consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia. Belgrade, 11 October 2021.
In the economic field:
The Azerbaijan-Serbia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation has been functioning since June 7, 2011. Business Forums have also been organized as part of the Commission's six meetings so far. A number of action plans are being implemented to further increase bilateral trade. One of them is the signing of a bilateral visa waiver agreement in October 2021. Along with the development of tourism, this step will give impetus to the development of bilateral relations by opening direct communication and business trips of individuals and legal entities.
The Serbian-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce was established in Serbia in 2010.
Since March 2013, the Azerbaijani company “AzVirt” has been engaged in the construction of road infrastructure projects in Serbia. The construction of the Lyigk-Prelyina section of the 11th Corridor highway, a number of bridges and overpasses has already been completed.
On February 14, 2022, a ceremony was held in connection with the start of the second part of the construction of the Macvanski-Sabac-Loznisa highway (Sabac-Loznisa), which is being built in Serbia by the Azerbaijani company AzVirt. It was attended by the President of the Republic of Serbia H.E.Mr.Aleksandar Vucic, Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure of Serbia Mr.Tomislav Momirovic, Director of Serbian Corridors Mr.Alexander Antic, Director of Serbian Roads Mr.Zoran Drobnyak, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Serbia Mr.Kamil Khasiyev and Executive Director of “AzVirt” Mr.Murad Turkoglu.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Kamil Khasiyev noted that the Serbian economy is developing every year, despite the COVID-19 pandemic and other global challenges, and it is gratifying to see that Azerbaijani companies such as “AzVirt” also contribute to this development process.
In his speech, President A.Vucic expressed satisfaction with the development of relations between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Azerbaijan. Emphasizing that the Azerbaijani company “AzVirt” carried out the work in a quality and timely manner in the interests of Serbia.
President A.Vucic said that the construction work will be completed in September 2024.
The main agreements and contracts signed in the economic sphere:
- Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Serbia on trade and economic cooperation. Baku, May 13, 2010.
- Convention between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Serbia on the Elimination of Double Taxation with Respect to Taxes on Income and Property. Baku, May 13, 2010.
- Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Serbia on the promotion and mutual protection of investments. Belgrade, 8 June 2011.
- Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Serbia on economic and technical cooperation. Baku, January 25, 2012.
- Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Serbia on international road transport. October 12, 2018.
- Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Serbia on air communication. October 12, 2018.
Humanitarian and cultural cooperation:
As in other areas, bilateral cooperation in the humanitarian and cultural spheres is developing successfully. The most memorable of the projects implemented on a reciprocal basis so far can be listed as follows;
In June 2010, the Azerbaijan Cultural Center was established in Belgrade.
In 2011, with the support of the Government of Azerbaijan, the Tashmaydan Park in Belgrade was reconstructed and improved. Statues of national leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev and prominent Serbian writer Milorad Pavic have been erected in the park.
In 2011, with the support of the Government of Azerbaijan, the Uzeyir Hajibeyli Memorial, named after the great Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibeyov, was established in Novi Sad, Serbia, as a symbol of friendship between the peoples of Azerbaijan and Serbia.
On the personal instructions of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E.Mr. Ilham Aliyev and with the support of the Government of Azerbaijan, in 2011-2012 the Bayrakli Mosque in Belgrade, the St. Petka Church in Novi Sad, and the Cultural Center in Novi Pazar were repaired and restored.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E.Mr.Ilham Aliyev has been awarded the Mother and Vlade Divats Foundation's "Deserved Friend of the Balkans" international award for his contribution to the development of multifaceted relations between Azerbaijan and Serbia, as well as the Balkan countries, and for his special services in bringing Azerbaijan and the Balkans closer.
On February 7-9, 2013, during the official visit of the President of the Republic of Serbia H.E.Mr.Tomislav Nikoloc to Azerbaijan, the monument to the prominent Serbian scientist, physicist Nikola Tesla was officially unveiled in Baku.
According to the memorandum of cooperation signed between the Union of Student Youth Organizations of Azerbaijan (USYOA) and the Student Conference of Universities of Serbia (SKONUS), five Azerbaijani students visited Serbia on September 2-9, 2013 and five Serbian students visited Azerbaijan on September 10-16, 2013.
On May 19, 2014, on the direct order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E.Mr.Ilham Aliyev, a humanitarian plane worth 400,000 Euros was flown in by a special plane of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The aid was handed over to the relevant authorities of Serbia at Belgrade airport.
On July 31, 2014, the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Republic of Serbia, the Serbian-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce and the Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Belgrade provided humanitarian assistance to people affected by the May floods in Loznitsa, Serbia.
Documentary shown on the Serbian RTS (Serbian State Broadcasting Corporation) on October 20, 2014, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Belgrade from Nazi occupation, about the 223rd Belgrade Red Banner Division which was made of (90%) Azerbaijani fighters. The documentary talked about veteran Zulfali Aliyev, as well as gave special information about the division.
By the Decree of the President of the Republic of Serbia H.E.Mr.Tomislav Nikolic dated March 26, 2015, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mrs.Mehriban Aliyeva was awarded the highest state award of the Republic of Serbia - "Sreten Order" for special services to the Republic of Serbia in the field of social, cultural and humanitarian activities.
Based on the relevant Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E.Mr.Ilham Aliyev on the celebration of the 90th anniversary of the prominent Azerbaijani poet Bakhtiyar Vahabzade in 2015, an appeal to the Belgrade City Hall was submitted in order to introduce Azerbaijan’s great poet to a friendly and strategic partner in Serbia. In this regard, the City Hall and Parliament of Belgrade, at a meeting on June 23, 2015, decided to rename the street from Tsrnotravske to the intersection of Borska and Pere Velemirovich streets - Bakhtiyar Vahabzade Street.
On May 19, 2020, on the instructions of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E.Mr.Ilham Aliyev, a plane of humanitarian aid was sent to the Republic of Serbia on behalf of the Government of Azerbaijan to support the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
On November 17, 2021, a literary-artistic evening dedicated to the 880th anniversary of the great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi was held in the Atrium Hall of the National Museum in Belgrade, organized by the Azerbaijan Cultural Center and titled as “Dialogue of cultures. 880th anniversary of Nizami Ganjavi ” literary and artistic evening.
On January 14, 2022, the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Republic of Serbia, the Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Belgrade and the International Organization of Turkish Culture (TURKSOY) organized a book-album presentation titled "Reading Nizami Ganjavi" dedicated to the 880th anniversary of the great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi.
On February 25, 2022, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide, a memorial concert of world and Azerbaijani classical music was organized at the National Museum of Belgrade with the support of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Serbia and the Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Belgrade.
The main agreements and contracts signed in the humanitarian sphere:
- Agreement between the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Serbia on cooperation in the field of education. Belgrade, 8 June 2011;
- Agreement between the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Serbia on cooperation in the field of youth work and sports. Belgrade, 8 June 2011;
- Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Serbia on cooperation in the field of culture. Belgrade, 8 June 2011.
Signed Documents:
44 documents were signed with Serbia in various fields.
Updated on 09.03.2022
