UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Belgrade on Friday for a working visit to the Republic of Serbia, where he was received by President Aleksandar Vučić at Nikola Tesla Airport. The visit highlights strengthening relations between the UAE and Serbia, particularly following the entry into force of a comprehensive trade agreement earlier this year. The UAE delegation includes Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Adviser to the President Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan; along with several federal ministers and senior officials.
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the UAE and Serbia, which took effect in May 2025, is designed to expand bilateral trade and investment. The pact eliminates or reduces tariffs on more than 95 percent of traded goods, streamlines customs procedures, and creates new opportunities in services and investment flows. Serbia is the first country in Central and Eastern Europe to conclude such an agreement with the UAE. Non-oil trade between the UAE and Serbia reached approximately USD 57.6 million in 2023, according to official figures. With the CEPA now in force, both governments aim to accelerate exchanges in agriculture, food production, renewable energy, logistics, and information technology, strengthening their positions in regional and global value chains.
The UAE has previously invested in several large-scale projects in Serbia, including the Belgrade Waterfront development and partnerships in aviation. These ventures, supported by government-to-government agreements, have contributed to the expansion of bilateral economic relations over the past decade. During the working visit, Sheikh Mohamed and Vučić are scheduled to hold delegation-level talks on the implementation of the CEPA, review ongoing joint projects, and assess opportunities for further cooperation. Technical teams are expected to continue work on trade facilitation measures, regulatory alignment, and investment frameworks to ensure smooth execution of the agreement.
This marks Sheikh Mohamed’s second official visit to Serbia since assuming the presidency in 2022. The UAE Ministry of Economy has identified the Serbia CEPA as a central element of its trade diversification program, which includes similar agreements with countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe. Joint press statements are expected following the conclusion of meetings in Belgrade, where both sides will outline progress on cooperation and highlight areas of future economic engagement. – By Content Syndication Services.