Egypt’s FM, Serbian PM discuss opportunities for increasing mutual investments

CAIRO – 19 June 2025: Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with Serbian Prime Minister Juro Matsut on Thursday in Cairo.

Ambassador Tamim Khallaf, spokesperson for Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that Minister Abdelatty praised the efforts strengthening the bilateral relations between Egypt and Serbia in recent years. He also welcomed the entry of the Free Trade Agreement that was signed in July 2023 into force. This is expected to significantly boost trade exchange and economic cooperation between the two countries.

The minister commended Serbia’s decision to open the first representative office of its Chamber of Commerce in Cairo. He also emphasized the importance of convening the 19th session of the Joint Economic Committee in the second half of 2025 and holding regular meetings of the Joint Business Council.

Minister Abdelatty highlighted opportunities for increasing mutual investment, particularly through projects in Egypt that Serbian companies could benefit from. He noted that Egypt’s trade agreements with Arab and African nations, combined with Serbia’s business networks, present promising avenues for Egyptian exports to the Western Balkans region.

He expressed Egypt’s readiness to expand cooperation with Serbia in the fields of renewable energy and natural gas, especially given the recent growth of Serbia’s renewable energy sector. Additionally, he underscored Egypt’s interest in increasing the number of Serbian tourists visiting Egypt.

The Minister also welcomed the idea of sending trained Egyptian workers to support development and industrial sectors in Serbia. He noted the positive momentum in parliamentary relations, citing the formation of the Egyptian-Serbian Parliamentary Friendship Group, and expressed appreciation for Serbia’s support of former Minister of Tourism Dr. Khaled El-Anany’s candidacy for UNESCO Director-General.

The meeting also covered key regional developments. Minister Abdelatty outlined Egypt’s position on the situation in the Middle East, focusing on the military escalation between Israel and Iran, as well as the continued Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip. He reviewed Egypt’s efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people and to resume ceasefire negotiations, while also commending Serbia’s supportive stance on the Palestinian cause.

He warned of the dangers posed by the ongoing military escalation in the region and stressed the urgent need for de-escalation, a ceasefire, and a return to negotiations to avoid plunging the region into further instability.