Jusufspahic: President Vucic's visit to Egypt is highly significant, will deepen cooperation between the two countries

The visit of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to Egypt and meetings with President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi and other Egyptian officials are highly significant, and the close bilateral relations can contribute to Serbia’s improvement in every aspect—geostrategically, economically, and in terms of security, says Muhamed Jusufspahic, President of the Supreme Council of the Islamic Community of Serbia (IZS).

"This visit is highly significant. The countries of the region, primarily Muslim and Arab countries, have long been very interested in Serbia, dating back to the Non-Aligned Movement, and probably even before. Serbia's position and economic development make it very interesting to countries like Egypt and Saudi Arabia," Jusufspahic told Kosovo Online.

During the visit, several important agreements were signed, the most significant being the Free Trade Agreement between Serbia and Egypt.

Jusufspahic noted that the close relations between the two countries have been enhanced by Vucic's visit to Egypt and Al Sisi's visit to Serbia two years ago, which will benefit Serbia in every sense—economically, geostrategically, and in terms of security.

He emphasized the importance of military cooperation between Serbia and Egypt, alongside economic cooperation, both of which can be significantly further developed, especially in the realm of security cooperation.

He recalled that Yugoslavia once held a significant position as a European country in the Non-Aligned Movement, which is still remembered in Egypt. The experiences and events of the 1990s disrupted these relations, but the two countries are now on the right path to improving relations in all areas, noted Jusufspahic, a former ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

"This visit will pave the right path for that. Everything President Vucic does for the benefit of Serbia in the Arab and Islamic regions is already bearing fruit," Jusufspahic said confidently, adding that one only needs to look at the number of Arab and Islamic countries that have supported Serbia's interests in the United Nations.

Serbia is recognized as a country with a balanced foreign policy, significantly influenced by President Vucic.

"This is significant for maintaining balance. The US and EU are very present here, which is normal since the EU is Serbia’s goal, as it is a European country, but it does not mean distancing ourselves from our interests with China and Russia," Jusufspahic added.

When asked if Egypt would maintain its stance of "frozen recognition of Kosovo," he confirmed.

"Regardless of the circumstances regarding the Declaration, I believe this will not change. Unfortunately, the recognition of Kosovo happened during a very turbulent time in Egypt, but with President Al Sisi, the best solution was found to freeze that status," Jusufspahic said confidently.

When asked if Serbia, through good and close ties with Egypt, is opening channels to other countries, he responded that Egypt, as a populous and multi-religious country, is in every sense the "central hub" for that part of the world, primarily the Muslim world.

"It is a podium, a pulpit in cultural and religious terms. Additionally, Egypt's economic needs for fertile land, which Serbia possesses, are immense. Although Egypt is much larger than Serbia, Serbia has significantly more fertile land compared to what Egypt has, highlighting the demand for our products, primarily agricultural ones. This need extends to the countries in the region as well," Jusufspahic concluded.