The protocol was signed in Belgrade by Serbia’s Foreign Minister Marko Đurić and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade, and Energy of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Vince Henderson, who is on an official visit to Serbia.

On this occasion, Henderson noted that the friendship between the two countries dates back to the time of the Non-Aligned Movement when Serbia supported Caribbean states in their struggle for independence.

He recalled that Serbia and Dominica established diplomatic relations in 2010, and expressed gratitude to Serbia for extending a hand of friendship to students from his country who are studying in Belgrade.

Stressing that the relations between the two countries are based on mutual respect, the minister emphasized that Dominica firmly stands with Serbia in supporting its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Henderson underscored that Dominica will continue to strongly support Serbia at the multilateral level, particularly within the United Nations, and noted that the two countries will continue to deepen their cooperation in the fields of healthcare, agriculture, and education.

The Foreign Minister of Dominica also mentioned that his country supported Serbia’s bid for the EXPO 2027 exhibition and looks forward to participating in this significant event.

Photo: mfa.gov.rs/Zoran Žestić

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“This year, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a historic visit to Serbia. The two presidents agreed that 300 young Serbian people and teenagers would be invited to visit China on study trips over the next three years,” Li Ming said at the Palace of Serbia during a reception organized by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić for Serbian students and high schoolers traveling to China as part of the International Youth Cultural Exchange program.

The Chinese ambassador highlighted that the group “Mint,” inspired by this agreement, initiated a student exchange program between Serbia and China.

According to him, there are similarities between the two countries, as well as great opportunities for mutual development.

“In the development of this friendship and relationship between China and Serbia, more and more young people are participating. I truly hope that on this journey they will learn a lot about China, gain many wonderful experiences, and share their experiences about Serbia in China,” concluded the Chinese ambassador.

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Juan Joze Sanz Aparicio, the new Spanish ambassador in Belgrade, confirms that bilateral relations between Spain and Serbia are currently excellent. However, he immediately adds that there is still room for progress because “economic and cultural exchanges, although improving every year, are still well below the level of our political relations”. Speaking in this interview for Cord Magazine, Ambassador Sanz Aparicio says that trying to bring more Spanish companies and investments to Serbia will be one of his goals during his time in Belgrade.

Your Excellency, you have been in Serbia for a few months now; in this a country which, according to your embassy’s website, has a relationship with Spain that’s marked by mutual respect and affection. What are your first impressions?

— My first impressions are very positive. I arrived in Belgrade on 28th January and from the very first moment my wife and I have felt your warm hospitality and this affection that we mention on our website. Belgrade is a vibrant city that’s full of history and places to enjoy. Serbia is a wonderful country with an amazing history and a dynamic, stable and flourishing economy (by the way, the most important economy in the region). Moreover, we have ahead of us plenty of historical moments to experience together, such as Expo 2027. I personally look forward to taking part in all these events and doing my bit to try to improve the already good bilateral relation between our two countries.

How would you characterise current bilateral relations?

— Our bilateral relationship is, in general terms, excellent. We have no bones of contention. We have an extraordinary connection politically, as was evident during 2022’s respective visits of President Vučić to Madrid in February and Prime Minister Sánchez to Belgrade in July. I would like to place special emphasis on the fact that this was the first ever visit of a Spanish Prime Minister to Serbia.

These personal contacts yielded excellent results and reinforced and accentuated our bilateral bonds. There is therefore still room for improvement, because our economic and cultural exchanges, although improving every year, are still well below the level of our political relations. It is true that we have witnessed a significant increase in our economic and commercial exchange.

Let me point out that our bilateral exchange grew by 80% between 2022 and 2024 alone, reaching a billion euros. This figure was unprecedented. However, despite all these positive developments, only a handful of Spanish companies are permanently on the ground in Serbia. One of my goals in Belgrade will be to try to improve our business cooperation by bringing more Spanish companies and investments to Serbia, by developing, for instance, infrastructure projects. In this regard, Expo 27 offers us a great window of opportunity.

The recent vote in the Spanish parliament, which overwhelmingly rejected the proposal to recognise Kosovo as an independent state, has attracted significant attention in Serbia. What do you consider as being the strongest argument for Spain maintaining this stance, despite calls to the contrary from the EU majority?

To sum up our position, allow me to quote the Spanish intervention at the International Court of Justice in 2009: “Spain is convinced that the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo proclaimed by its provisional government institutions is not in accordance with International Law, nor with the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia”.

This 20th anniversary of the 2004 opening of the Instituto Cervantes in Belgrade provides a great opportunity to relaunch our cultural strategy, offering the Serbian public new content and activities

Our position is therefore based firmly on solid principles of International Law and especially on the universally accepted principle of state sovereignty as established by the UN Charter, some resolutions adopted by the UNGA and other international instruments of great importance, such as the Helsinki Final Act or the Charter of Paris for a New Europe. Considering this legal argument, all Spanish Governments since 2008, without exception and regardless of the political party that won the elections, have maintained the same position: Spain defends the sovereignty and principle of territorial integrity of the Republic of Serbia and therefore does not recognise Kosovo’s Unilateral Declaration of Independence.

You have stated that improving economic cooperation is a priority of your future work. In which areas could this cooperation develop most rapidly?

— For Spain, it is essential that the Framework Protocol on Financial and Technical Cooperation, signed on 2nd November 2022, enters into force. This international bilateral agreement should become a crucial element of our future relationship and should allow Spanish companies, some of which are world leaders in their capacities, to share their experiences and knowhow with Serbian counterparts in different areas, such as railway infrastructure, renewable energy, the food industry, smart cities, agricultural technology or tourism.

You have expressed the ambition to increase the presence of Spanish culture in Serbia. How do you envisage the Cervantes Institute, which recently celebrated 20 years of operations in Belgrade, evolving over the decade ahead?

— I have also realised that Serbian people know and love Spanish culture, which they find very appealing. Considering this, we plan to reinforce our cultural presence all around this country, and not only in Belgrade.

Obviously, Instituto Cervantes will have a fundamental role to play on this issue, as our flagship institution of culture, which offers a wide selection of cultural events including literature, music, cinema, theatre and exhibitions, as well as Spanish language courses for all levels of proficiency. This work is complementary to the amazing efforts of the Spanish Language Departments at the universities of Belgrade, Kragujevac and Novi Sad, as well as of the many Spanish language teachers in public and private schools across Serbia.

This 20th anniversary of the 2004 opening of the Instituto Cervantes in Belgrade provides a great opportunity to relaunch our cultural strategy, offering the Serbian public new content and activities.

After two decades, I also believe it is now time for Instituto Cervantes to formalise its situation in Serbia, overcoming the limitations stemming from the fact that it is housed in a rented building. Permanent offices for this institute won’t only represent an acknowledgment of our firm and solid commitment to Serbia, but will also allow it to fulfil its mandate more effectively – not only in Serbia, but across the entire Balkan region.

You convey a message of support for Serbia’s European integration to your interlocutors in the country. Given your experience, do you believe the EU will admit a new member state in the foreseeable future and, if so, is it more likely to be Ukraine or a Western Balkan country?

— Serbia’s place is in Europe. In fact, it is difficult to understand the history of Europe in the 20th century if you don’t know the history of Serbia and the Balkans. Spain fully supports Serbia’s candidacy to join the European Union and we have consistently reaffirmed our commitment to the EU membership of all Western Balkan countries. Moreover, the Council of the European Union decided in December 2023, under the Spanish Presidency, to accelerate the process. However, you must take into account the fact that these negotiations are always long and complicated and have their ups and downs. Sometimes you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. They are also influenced by internal (domestic) and external (international) factors that are sometimes unpredictable (such as the war in Ukraine), and it is therefore very difficult to foresee their development over the long term. At any rate, accession negotiations with the country you mention started recently, and it would consequently be logical to expect those negotiations that are already more advanced to conclude earlier. In diplomacy, persistence and patience are two indisputable values.

Prior to your arrival in Serbia, you served as special envoy of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Gibraltar region. This area has become particularly interesting post-Brexit, due to the need for a long-awaited agreement between Spain and the UK on Gibraltar’s final status. What is the fate of this “British colony on Spanish territory”?

Brexit was a disaster for Gibraltar. Some 98% of voters there voted to remain in the EU. Considering the close social and economic links between Gibraltar and the surrounding area (The Campo), the Spanish Government decided to take the bull by the horns and devise an original proposal to build a new relationship between Gibraltar and the EU in which Spain would be the member state responsible for applying European Law in Gibraltar. The final goal is to create a zone of shared prosperity covering the whole area, integrating Gibraltar into the Schengen Area and, partially, into the Custom Union, while removing all existing physical barriers preventing the circulation of people and goods. And, more importantly, safeguarding the respective positions of the United Kingdom and Spain on Gibraltar’s sovereignty. This is what we have been negotiating since 2020. It is very complex, but if you consider that this situation is 320 years old (England first occupied Gibraltar on 4th August, 1704), who said it would be easy? We once again need persistence and patience.

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Preparing for his departure from Serbia, Ambassador Urs Schmid says that the two countries’ excellent bilateral relations have been further strengthened over the previous few years, while traditional good relations have been expanded to encompass the new areas of science and innovation. Speaking in this CorD Magazine interview, he summarises his time in Serbia as representing “the most rewarding posting of my diplomatic career”.

Your Excellency, you are nearing the end of your mandate in Serbia, which began during the Covid-19 pandemic. How would you summarise your past few years in Belgrade?

— I would summarise the last few years as a whirlwind of remarkable events, when our excellent bilateral relations further strengthened and our cooperation expanded into new fields like science and innovation, and I would define this time in general as the most rewarding posting of my diplomatic career. It’s true that the start was challenging, with the pandemic, but that allowed me to witness the impressive resilience of the Serbian people and the remarkable response of the Serbian government, including its early procurement of vaccines. The Russian aggression against Ukraine has brought unforeseen challenges to both of our countries, but has also created new areas of cooperation, and I am grateful to Serbia’s government for its support of the Summit on Peace in Ukraine that was recently organised by Switzerland.

How would you assess the quality of political relations between Switzerland and Serbia?

— Diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Serbia had already been established in 1916, and our political relations have been strong and varied ever since. Certainly, we may sometimes differ in our position on certain issues of domestic and foreign policy, but this wouldn’t hamper the quality of our relationship, which is based on mutual respect, understanding and support. Let me just recall the intensive cooperation we had during our consecutive chairmanships of the OSCE in 2014/2015, or our continuous collaboration in the framework of the Bretton Woods Institutions and the EBRD, where we have been partners in the same constituency for 31 and 23 years respectively.

Switzerland was also among the very first countries to provide humanitarian assistance to Serbia in the early 1990s, when Serbia sustained a massive influx of refugees. This laid the basis of our current bilateral cooperation programme, which supports Serbia’s reforms aimed at advancing its European integration and which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2022, certainly marking one of the many highlights of my mandate. We are this year also celebrating 15 years since the conclusion of the bilateral Migration Partnership Agreement, with the importance of this partnership underlined by the visit of our Minister of Justice and Police, Federal Councillor Beat Jans, on 2nd and 3rd July 2024.

Speaking in another interview with the Serbian media, you mentioned the importance of an independent judiciary and strong institutions, including parliament, to a democratic society. Given that Switzerland has supported this process through various projects, how would you evaluate the level that Serbia has achieved?

— Indeed, both an independent and effective judiciary and a strong parliament are key elements of any democracy and, accordingly, they have a central place in the fundamentals of the EU accession process, as well as in global Agenda 2030, as specified under UN SDG 16. I recently had the privilege of meeting with Serbian Justice Minister Maja Popović, and her clear vision of the remaining judicial reforms made a strong impression on me.

Concerning legislative power, we have been supporting the National Assembly and a number of local Assemblies over the past 12 years, with several measures to increase efficiency, transparency and accountability. E-parliaments have been installed at a number of local Assemblies. Digital instruments like the Open Budget Portal would enable MPs to have real time oversight of public spending. Deliberative processes, including public hearings and cross-party caucuses, such as the Women’s Parliamentary Network or the “green chair”, are other concrete examples of these measures. I am, however, disappointed to note that many of these instruments and procedures are unfortunately not active currently. They deserve to be invigorated, as they provide mechanisms that support Serbia’s further democratic development.

Are you satisfied with the progress of local governance in Serbia in terms of improving the quality of services and digitalisation, to which the Swiss embassy has provided significant contributions in recent years?

— Local self-governments are central partners for us, as evidenced by the hundred or so partnerships that we’ve concluded, in addition to cooperating with the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government and with the Association of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM). We have been creating improved conditions for service delivery by working on digitalisation, good governance practices and extensive capacity building. Let me quote a number of indices to answer more precisely: the Transparency Index of Transparency Serbia shows an upward trajectory when it comes to disclosing local budgets and policies. The “Citizen Satisfaction Survey”, conducted by UNOPS, indicates an increasing level of citizen satisfaction with local public services since 2010. The “Good Governance Index”, implemented by the SCTM, testifies to the better respecting of good governance principles among local authorities, even if there is still room for improvement. Deplorably, however, according to the “CSO Sustainability Index” commissioned by USAID, the ecosystem for civil society organisations has been deteriorating over previous years.

Even after your mandate in Serbia comes to an end, the Swiss project supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in Serbia should continue. Do you believe that the goal you mentioned – connecting 80 SMEs as suppliers to large multinational companies over the next few years – will be achieved?

— When it comes to the economy, Switzerland is by all means an important player: we are ranked as Serbia’s 4th partner globally in terms of trade in services, are in the top ten investors for the 2010-2023 period and represent the second biggest source of remittances, after Germany. We are also working hard to further grow our trade in goods, as it has not yet reached a billion euros annually. Against this backdrop, it is understandable that some of our most significant cooperation projects are oriented towards supporting reform efforts in the economic field.

Switzerland was among the very first countries to provide humanitarian assistance to Serbia in the early 1990s, when Serbia sustained a massive influx of refugees

The recently created SME Hub isn’t a project in the classic sense. It is a partnership between the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and private company ICT Hub d.o.o., which specialises, among other things, in providing customised advisory services to large corporations. The aim is to make such cutting-edge advisory services available to smaller companies that haven’t so far been able to afford them, and which sometimes didn’t live up to their full potential as a result. SMEs interested in benefiting from the SME Hub’s services pay 50% of the cost of services upfront, in order to demonstrate their interest and determination. Thanks to the strong relationship that the SME Hub has built with financing partners, including Serbian commercial banks, the Serbian Development Agency and the EBRD, it can serve SMEs very cost-effectively. This is all possible thanks to the substantial expertise available in Serbia’s private sector.

As ambassador to Serbia, you have – like your predecessors – continued to advocate dual education. Can we already talk about the positive effects that this concept has brought to education in Serbia?

— There is no need for advocacy, as the Serbian authorities – including the Ministry of Education, the Government Office for Dual Education and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIS) – have been doing a tremendous job in advancing dual education in Serbia. Given the scarcity of labour and demographic developments, but also rapidly advancing technology, it has become clear that the private sector and the education system need to collaborate more intensively to convey to young people the skills that are relevant to their professional success.

Our role is more of an advisory one. Switzerland has great expertise in this field, which is why the Serbian Government appointed leading experts from Switzerland to advise key stakeholders involved in dual education, basically the education system and the employers, represented in Serbia by the CCIS. Regarding progress achieved to date, Serbia really stands out across the entire region. Approximately 7% of Serbia’s secondary-level vocational students are currently enrolled in a dual studies programme. But our advice is to focus on quality as much as on quantity. In our experience, it is really important for students to spend as much time as possible in the workplace, rather than in school. Through such an approach, students are exposed to real-life workplaces and are empowered to progressively take on responsibilities, boosting their subsequent employability, while employers are able to train their future workforce in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Given that the whole of Europe, including Serbia, views the conflict in Ukraine with concern, how would you assess the outcomes of the peace conference hosted by Switzerland? Will such initiatives be continued?

— Given the broad, high-level participation and the development of a common understanding on some elements that are crucial for achieving lasting peace in Ukraine, as summarised in the Joint Communiqué, the Summit on the Bürgenstock mountain achieved more than we could have expected. It should be seen as a first important step on the challenging path towards a peace process. The discussions of 15th and 16th June provided a much-needed opportunity to listen to different ideas, learn from each other’s experiences and propose possible solutions. We are therefore confident that the outcomes of this Summit will inspire a constructive way forward and pave the way for further talks with the involvement of all parties. Switzerland stands ready to support such efforts and to continue to play an active role in such endeavours, and we encourage other countries to do so as well.

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The festive occasion was hosted by Ambassador H.E. Mohammed Amine Belhaj and attended by dignitaries, diplomats, and members of the Moroccan community in Serbia.

The event highlighted the rich cultural heritage of Morocco. Guests were treated to an array of Moroccan culinary delights, offering a taste of the nation’s renowned cuisine.

In his address, Ambassador Belhaj spoke about the strong diplomatic ties between Morocco and Serbia, emphasizing the ongoing cooperation in various sectors including trade, education, and tourism. He highlighted the significance of Throne Day as a symbol of unity and progress for Morocco, expressing pride in the nation’s achievements under the leadership of King Mohammed VI.

The celebration not only honored Morocco’s history and culture but also served to strengthen the bonds of friendship between Morocco and Serbia. 

The Embassy’s efforts in organizing such events play a crucial role in fostering mutual understanding and collaboration between the two countries.

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Following their meeting, President Vučić shared on Instagram, “A very good conversation with Ambassador Urs Schmid. I thanked him for his dedicated work in enhancing and strengthening overall relations and cooperation between Serbia and Switzerland.”

Both parties agreed that bilateral political dialogue and economic cooperation are on an upward trajectory. Vučić also expressed gratitude for Switzerland’s support in establishing dual education in Serbia and backing Serbia’s European integration efforts.

This visit underscores the robust and growing ties between Serbia and Switzerland, highlighting the mutual commitment to continued collaboration and development.

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Addressing the team, which will compete in the upcoming Paris Olympic Games, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nataša Rašević emphasized that Serbian athletes are the nation’s best ambassadors, showcasing their success and medals, which fill the country with pride.

Rašević highlighted the significant achievements of the women’s volleyball team, making volleyball one of the most successful sports in Serbia. She expressed confidence that the volleyball players, along with other Serbian Olympic participants, will represent Serbia with dignity and meet the high expectations at the Paris Games.

Photo: MSP

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Mariko Kaneko, Deputy Press Secretary, Deputy Director-General for Press and Public Diplomacy, and Deputy Assistant Minister for Evidence-based Policymaking at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, accompanied Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko on her first visit to Serbia on 17^th July. Serbia is just one of the countries that Minister Kamikawa is visiting on her tour, along with Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo. We took the opportunity to interview Ms Kaneko about bilateral relations between Japan and Serbia. 

“The purpose of Minister Kamikawa’s visit is to reaffirm our commitment to stability in Europe and to underscore the importance of the Western Balkans and Serbia for fostering peaceful relations within the region and beyond. Japan is committed to the sustainable development of Serbia and this is the message she is going to reiterate in her meetings with representatives of the Serbian government,” says our interlocutor.

With diplomatic relations between Serbia and Japan lasting more than 140 years to date, what steps are being taken to further strengthen political dialogue and high-level exchanges aimed at deepening cooperation in various fields?

We celebrated the 140^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Serbia in 2022, thus marking a significant milestone in our longstanding partnership. I believe that our nations are well aware of the strong relationship between us, but there is always room to share more about how the bonds between our two countries have evolved. Minister Kamikawa’s decision to visit Serbia first during her tour of several Western Balkan states underscores Japan’s commitment to the sustainable development of Serbia and the region. This visit also highlights our ongoing support for reconciliation and stability within the region.

We live in a deeply divided world that’s facing numerous complex challenges, such as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and a severe global security environment. North Korea’s unprecedented pace of ballistic missile launches and China’s expansionist policies in the South China Sea and East China Sea pose significant threats to our security. Amidst these global tensions, it is crucial to emphasise the importance of peace, stability and human dignity.

Minister Kamikawa’s visit to Serbia reflects our understanding of the region’s ongoing struggles to overcome past conflicts. We believe Serbia and its neighbours have the potential to exemplify the value of peace, drawing from the experiences of the past 30 years. Japan has been a dedicated partner since the end of the civil war, providing assistance for reconstruction and supporting sustainable development in Serbia and other countries around the region. We remain fully committed to continuing this support and fostering a peaceful and stable international community in which every individual can live with dignity.

How have the initiatives launched during the mandate of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe contributed to excellent bilateral relation between the two countries?

In 2018, then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Serbia, marking the first visit by a Japanese Prime Minister. During his visit, he launched the Western Balkan Cooperation Initiative, which has since become a cornerstone of our diplomacy towards Serbia and the region. This initiative focuses on supporting social and economic reforms, as well as promoting reconciliation among the people and countries of the Western Balkans.

Under this framework, Japan has been extending assistance through its Official Development Assistance (ODA). This includes promoting social and economic reforms, stabilising Serbia’s economy and contributing to the region’s sustainable development.

We are seeing a growing number of prestigious Japanese companies recognising Serbia as a prime destination for significant investments. What factors have driven this positive shift? What strategies do you believe are essential to ensuring the continued success of existing investors and an increase in FDI from Japan to Serbia?

Japanese companies have increased their investments in Serbia significantly over recent years. We’ve seen major investments from three prominent Japanese companies: Nidec, Japan Tobacco International (JTI) Corporation, and Toyo Tire. Nidec, a leading manufacturer of electrical components used in electric vehicles and semiconductors, has established a strong presence in Serbia. JTI Corporation, one of Japan’s largest tobacco and vaping companies, has set up a branch here, and Toyo Tire, a renowned tire manufacturer, has also invested in Serbia.

Minister Kamikawa’s decision to visit Serbia first during her tour of several Western Balkan states underscores Japan’s commitment to the sustainable development of Serbia and the region

These examples illustrate the growing trend of Japanese investment in Serbia, which is likely to continue. Serbia offers a conducive business environment that attracts Japanese companies, notably through its high-quality workforce. Serbian workers are well-educated, particularly in the IT and science and technology sectors, which is highly beneficial for Japanese companies. Additionally, the Serbian government provides substantial support to foreign investors, such as corporate tax reductions and partial coverage of social welfare costs for employees of foreign companies. These measures are crucial to fostering a favourable investment climate.

Moreover, Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić have just agreed to commence negotiations on a bilateral investment treaty. This agreement will further encourage investment between our two countries, promoting mutual economic growth and strengthening our bilateral relations.

Could you elaborate on the details of the current Japanese support programmes for Serbia, particularly in the fields of infrastructure development and education, and how these initiatives contribute to strengthening bilateral relations?

I already mentioned some of the examples of our support to Serbia. Here I would like to add some more details about particular projects. For instance, one major project involved the desulphurisation of the Nikola Tesla Thermal Power Plant, which aims to improve environmental standards. Another ongoing project, initiated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), involves a feasibility study for a water pumping project, which is crucial for the energy sector.

The energy sector is particularly important for the stability and sustainable development of Serbia and its neighbouring countries. In addition to energy, Japan has also been supporting the welfare and healthcare sectors, reflecting our comprehensive approach to development and our commitment to the wellbeing of the region’s people.

Japan has been extending its technical cooperation in various areas. Japanese companies investing in Serbia also engage in technical cooperation and human resource development projects. One recent initiative is a waste management project undertaken by Itochu Corporation in collaboration with a French company. This project is part of our broader technical cooperation efforts for waste management.

These efforts reflect our commitment to the social and economic development of Serbia and the region. Japanese companies will continue to provide assistance, contributing to sustainable development and fostering stronger bilateral ties.

I hope that more people in Serbia become aware of our approach and commitment.

What role do women play in Japanese politics today, and what plans does the Japanese government have to improve the representation of women in political life?

Minister Kamikawa has been actively promoting the participation of women in society, particularly through the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, a concept adopted by the United Nations Security Council in 2000. This initiative is not only being championed in Japan, but also internationally, highlighting its global importance.

Significant progress is still needed in Japan. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party, to which Minister Kamikawa belongs, has set a numerical target to have 30% of politicians be women. The current average stands at approximately 15%. Similarly, the government aims for 35% of its officials to be women, which has not yet been achieved. Despite these challenges, efforts to improve gender representation and inclusion are ongoing.

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The plant has installed a 50 kW solar power system, making it the first heating plant in Serbia to act as both a producer and consumer of energy.

During his visit, Ambassador Hill commended the efforts of the Ministry of Mining and Energy, highlighting the dual benefits of such projects in providing clean energy and improving air quality, both of which are crucial for future generations. “We will continue discussions with the ministry on how to further enhance Serbia’s energy sector,” Hill stated.

Minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović, who accompanied Hill on the visit, emphasized that Pemci 1 is the first heating plant in Serbia to use both biomass and solar energy. She noted that the installation of the solar power system, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), will improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Đedović Handanović also highlighted the impact on the local community, stating that approximately 2,500 households will benefit from clean energy, enhancing both energy security and sustainability.

Photo: facebook/ministarsvorudarstvaienergetike

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In his speech, Ambassador Lee expressed gratitude for the hospitality and friendships formed during his tenure, highlighting achievements in Korean-Serbian relations, particularly in economic cooperation, cultural exchange, and technological partnerships.

The event featured a blend of Korean and Serbian cultural elements, celebrating the strong bond between the two nations and underscoring the commitment to a continued prosperous partnership.

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Bastille Day commemorates the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789, a pivotal event in the French Revolution symbolising the end of royal tyranny.

In his address, Ambassador Cochard highlighted the 185th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and Serbia. He noted the rekindled spirit and enthusiasm of their long-standing friendship, which now extends into new areas of cooperation such as innovation, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy.

“Hopefully, soon, we will stand side by side as full members of the International Organisation of La Francophonie. It is up to Serbia to freely determine its future, as President Macron stated when welcoming President Vučić to Paris on April 8,” said Cochard.

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These funds will be used to, among others, help Serbia improve its public procurement process, increase citizen access to justice, improve environmental protection and energy security, promote a stronger media environment, improve economic opportunities for disadvantaged groups, and make Serbia’s economy more competitive. 

U.S. Ambassador Christopher R. Hill witnessed the signing of the amendments by Minister for European Integration Ms. Tanja Miščević and USAID Mission Director Ms. Brooke Isham.

“The United States, through USAID, is adding $18 million to our existing assistance agreement with Serbia to help make the economy more competitive and strengthen government operations,” said U.S. Ambassador Hill. He highlighted that USAID focuses on the areas where Serbia says it needs assistance. The Ambassador emphasized that there is a true partnership, and that what the U.S. Government is trying to do through USAID is to make sure that it is supporting Serbia on the things it needs and wants to do as part of its accession to the European Union. 

Minister Tanja Miščević thanked the United States of America for its strong support for Serbia’s path towards the EU and stated that the new 18 million dollars in grants to Serbia represent the continuation of cooperation with one of the most important development partners.

“These funds will be used for projects such as the improvement of the public procurement system at the central and local level, which will contribute to lower procurement prices. In the area of ​​justice, the focus will be on educating citizens to better understand and protect their rights. More than 1,000 small and medium-sized enterprises will have the opportunity to increase their profitability through business modernization, while new funds for agriculture will enable interest-free financing in the most underdeveloped municipalities. Energy efficiency projects will include the renovation of buildings and improvements to heating systems, while social welfare projects will help the most vulnerable categories to improve their chances for employment and a better quality of life,” said Miščević.

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The Hungarian Ambassador to Serbia, József Magyar, stated that Hungary’s EU presidency will further advance the accession process of the Western Balkans, with particular priority given to the success of Serbia’s accession negotiations for EU membership.

At the reception in Belgrade, marking the start of Hungary’s presidency of the EU Council, he emphasised the need to seize the favourable atmosphere for enlargement, created in late June during Belgium’s presidency.

Congratulating Hungary on assuming the EU presidency, the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, highlighted that those who disagree with Serbia’s positions must understand that it is a sovereign and independent country. He stressed that Serbia expects a lot from the EU and that peace and stability are crucial. Expressing gratitude for the support, he noted that Hungary has a sincere friend in Serbia. He praised the Hungarians for not being afraid to use the word that many today avoid – peace.

He also underscored that during Hungary’s presidency, even more efforts will be made to advance Serbia’s EU integration process. He expressed the desire for Serbia to make good use of the accession funds, with Hungarian experience providing valuable assistance.

The Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Emanuel Giaufret, congratulated the Hungarian Embassy on assuming the presidency, and highlighted the importance of Hungary identifying enlargement as a priority, as this gives everyone additional momentum.

He noted that Serbia has much work ahead, but much has already been accomplished. He remarked that Hungary faces a challenging task.

H.E. József Magyar reiterated that the upcoming year for his country is a year of work and that Hungary will continue to implement the agreed joint programme to ensure peace and security in Europe, both within its borders and in the neighbourhood.

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Ambassador Salah welcomed the guests and highlighted the historical significance of the day, emphasising the strong bilateral ties and growing cooperation between Egypt and Serbia. He expressed gratitude for the warm relations and collaboration in various sectors, including trade, culture, and education.

The celebration featured Egyptian cultural elements, including traditional music and cuisine, providing guests with an authentic experience of Egypt’s rich heritage. The event fostered discussions on enhancing future partnerships and strengthening the bond between the two nations.

Egypt’s National Day celebration underscored the commitment to deepening diplomatic and cultural relations between Egypt and Serbia, marking a significant milestone in their enduring friendship.

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