Đurić: Launch of the First Strategic Dialogue the Result of Joint Efforts by Serbia and Israel

Minister Đurić assessed that relations between Serbia and Israel rest on a deep historical and value-based continuity, recalling Serbia’s support for the Balfour Declaration, its early recognition of Israel’s independence, and the fact that the two peoples have often shared similar experiences and suffering throughout history.

Noting that the world is undergoing a period of profound and accelerated change, marked by unprecedented challenges—including technological transformations and shifts in the global order—Đurić emphasized that countries with similar outlooks, such as Serbia and Israel, have a clear national interest in further advancing their relations.

Speaking about the concrete outcomes of the visit, Đurić highlighted that the strategic dialogue between Serbia and Israel is the result of joint work undertaken in the preceding period, encompassing topics such as the enhancement of economic cooperation, trade exchange, and the strengthening of ties between their respective economies.

“The launch of the first strategic dialogue with Israel is not merely symbolic, but a concrete step that will bring tangible benefits to the citizens of Serbia and Israel,” Đurić stated.

He added that discussions also covered a free trade agreement with Israel—one of the most developed economies in the world and a country with the highest number of scientists per capita—which, like Serbia, has a large and influential diaspora.

“This means that by joining forces, we can achieve better results. That will be the outcome of our strategic dialogue. We will be politically closer, economically stronger, and more successful in achieving our national goals,” Đurić noted.

He also underscored the importance of Israel’s participation in Expo 2027 in Belgrade, describing it as an important signal of mutual trust and support.

The Serbian Foreign Minister further stated that discussions also addressed regional issues, as well as the position of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija, emphasizing Serbia’s commitment to preserving stability and respecting international law. He highlighted that Serbia acts as a factor of stability in the region and approaches all global and regional issues with the aim of strengthening stability, upholding international public law, and fostering a sense of normalcy.

Reflecting on the global context, the Minister conveyed that Serbia considers this visit to be among its most important foreign policy priorities at present, which, he noted, further underscores the importance of strengthening relations with Israel in the current international environment.

Expressing confidence that relations between the two countries will continue to deepen, Minister Đurić extended an invitation to his Israeli counterpart to visit Belgrade and congratulated the citizens of Israel on the occasion of the national holiday, Yom Ha'atzmaut.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel, Gideon Sa'ar, assessed that the establishment of a strategic dialogue between Serbia and Israel for the first time reflects the close and historically grounded relations between the two countries, based on the friendship between their peoples, which, he noted, has withstood the test of difficult times.

He emphasized that, under the leadership of Aleksandar Vučić, Serbia has been a reliable ally and a sincere friend of Israel. Recalling the deep historical ties and the suffering of Serbs and Jews during World War II, Sa’ar stressed that relations between the two countries have significantly strengthened in recent decades and have entered a new phase over the past year.

Sa’ar noted that Serbia is an important partner in Europe and a strategically significant actor in the Western Balkans, emphasizing the importance of regional stability and reiterating that Israel supports the implementation of the Dayton Agreement.

The head of Israeli diplomacy expressed special gratitude to Minister Đurić for his engagement in efforts to secure the release of hostages, recalling his personal involvement in the case of the Serbian-Israeli national Alon Ohel.