Foreign Relations of Serbia - Middle East

Middle East

Serbia enjoys good relations with the Middle East, these are inherited by the independent Serbia from its time as the hub of a federation (i.e., Yugoslavia) which was very active in the Non-Aligned Movement during the 1960s. Israel, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Egypt are important economic partners of Serbia, as Israel invests in the Serbian construction industry and Egypt is a large market for Zastava automobiles. Serbia also has an important security agreement with Iran, another important economic and political partner of Serbia. Serbia also maintains diplomatic relations with the Palestinian National Authority. Serbia wishes to intensify relations with the CCASG countries, namely Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.

Country Formal relations began Notes
Iran

See Iran–Serbia relations
Iraq 1979

See Iraq–Serbia relations

  • Iraq has an embassy in Belgrade.
  • Serbia has an embassy in Baghdad.
Israel 1992

See Israel–Serbia relations

  • The bilateral relations between Yugoslavia and Israel were severed for 25 years, from 1967 until October 9, 1991, when they were officially renewed.
  • Israel has an embassy in Belgrade.
  • Serbia has embassy in Tel Aviv.
  • History of the Jews in Serbia
  • Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Israel
Palestine

Relations between Serbia and Palestine have been very close and friendly. The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was one of the first countries to recognize Palestine in November 1988 and its successor Serbia maintained close relations, favoring a Two-State solution. Palestine for its part, has refused to recognize the independence of Kosovo.

  • Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Palestine
Saudi Arabia
  • Serbia and Saudi Arabia do not have diplomatic relations. This is due to both unresolved issues following the Bosnian War as well as Saudi Arabia's strong support for the independence of Kosovo.
  • Serbia is represented in Saudi Arabia through its embassy in Kuwait City (Kuwait).
Syria

See Serbia–Syria relations

  • Serbia has an embassy in Damascus.
  • Syria has an embassy in Belgrade.
  • Also Syria is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement and Serbia is an observer.
  • Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Syria

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