Political relations
Political relations between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Türkiye are characterised by intensive and substantive political dialogue, including exchanges of visits at high and highest levels. The quality of bilateral cooperation is enhanced in particular by the upward trend in economic cooperation, with trade and investment playing a particularly important role. In addition to the economy, cooperation has developed in almost all areas of mutual interest, including energy and infrastructure, tourism, culture, education and science.
During the official visit of President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to the Republic of Serbia in 2017, the two presidents signed in Belgrade the Joint Political Declaration on the Establishment of the High Council for Cooperation between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Türkiye. The establishment of the Council had been agreed upon in 2015 by the then Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, and the then Prime Minister of the Republic of Türkiye, Ahmet Davutoğlu. The agreement to establish the Serbian–Turkish High Council for Cooperation marked the beginning of a new chapter in relations between the two countries. To date, the Council has been chaired by the presidents of the two countries, with the relevant ministers from both governments also participating in its work. Four sessions have been held to date.
The first meeting of the High Council for Cooperation between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Türkiye was held in May 2018, during the official visit of the then President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, to Ankara. Twelve bilateral agreements were signed on that occasion.
The then President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, most recently visited Ankara on 12 February 2026. On that occasion, the Joint Declaration of the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Türkiye was adopted, expressing both sides’ satisfaction with the progress achieved in bilateral relations over the preceding years.
Cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye is well developed. In addition to bilateral visits at foreign minister level and official meetings on the margins of international gatherings, the two ministries also hold bilateral political consultations. On 19 May 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, Hakan Fidan, paid an official visit to the Republic of Serbia.
Economic relations
With invested 220.9 million according to the NBS records (in the period 2010-2021), Turkey is on the 21st place of the largest foreign investors. According to RAS records (May 2022), Turkiye ranks 7th in the number of implemented investment projects (with a share of 3.8%). According to the same source, Turkish investors in Serbia currently employ just over 6,000 workers.
A significant inflow of investments from Turkiye has been recorded since 2015. when the textile sector was dominant for Turkish investors, today Turkish companies would be present not only in the textile, but increasingly also in the automotive, construction and machinery industries, banking and tourism. According to the NBS, as much as 70% of total FDI from Turkiye was realized in the period 2018-2021.
Investments of Turkish companies in Serbia in the last few years are intensifying with the prospect of further growth. Only during 2021. an inflow of 50.3 mil. euros (in 2020 - 30.4 million euros, in 2019 - 11 million euros, in 2018 - 62.1 million euros)
According to the data of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, total trade in goods with the Italy in 2025 amounted to EUR 3.4 billion, of which exports from the Serbia accounted for EUR 1.2 billion, while imports amounted to EUR 2.2 billion.
Bilateral agreements
A total of 97 international bilateral agreements with the Republic of Türkiye have been signed and entered into force, while a further 11 international bilateral agreements are still undergoing ratification, of which we single out:
Agreement between FRY and R. Turkiye on cooperation in education, science, culture and sports, signed on: 14 April 2002;
Free Trade Agreement between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Turkiye, signed on: 1 June 2009;
Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Republic of Turkiye on economic cooperation, signed on: 26 October 2009;
Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Republic of Turkiye on cooperation in the field of infrastructure projects, signed on 26 October 2009;
Joint Political Declaration on the Establishment of the High Council for Cooperation between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Turkiye. Signed on 10 October 2017.
Contact information
Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Ankara: https://ankara.mfa.gov.rs/
Embassy of the Republic of Turkiye in Belgrade: https://belgrad.be.mfa.gov.tr/Mission.
Department for Neighbouring Countries and Southeast Europe (DNCSE); tel. 00 381 (0) 11 30 68 280; e-mail: osz@mfa.rs.