Vucic and Aliyev: On difficult issues, Azerbaijan and Serbia always stand by each other

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic stated today that Azerbaijan and Serbia always stand by one another on all difficult issues and that this will not change. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev emphasized that the two countries will continue to support each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Vucic said that he and Aliyev discussed all major issues in Europe and the world, consulted closely, and that through those discussions he gained a deeper and clearer understanding of certain developments.

“We have such relations that, when a crisis situation arises, we are open and speak with one another,” Vucic said at a joint press conference with Ilham Aliyev.

He pointed out that cooperation is growing in all spheres and that trade between the two countries is now sixteen times higher than in 2012.

“Through the Strategic Cooperation Council, we are establishing new and closer relations, which is of exceptional importance for Serbia and our citizens,” Vucic stressed.

He nevertheless noted that cooperation in all fields can and must become even stronger and expressed confidence that, with additional effort and work, even better results will be achieved.

“To date, we have signed 57 documents, and today dozens more, which provides a solid foundation for advancing our relations,” Vucic added.

The President of Serbia highlighted that military-technical cooperation between the two countries is excellent, as are relations between the two foreign ministries.

“At the level of consultations, agreements, and mutual support on all matters. Even when the most difficult issues were raised, Azerbaijan stood by Serbia and Serbia stood by Azerbaijan — on the most challenging possible issues,” Vucic emphasized, adding that he trusts Aliyev’s word and believes the feeling is mutual.

“And we will continue to act in this way,” Vucic said.

Aliyev Congratulates Serbia on Statehood Day: Serbia and Azerbaijan Are Friendly Nations

Aliyev congratulated Serbia on its Statehood Day, stating that the fact that he is a guest on such an important occasion is a sign of exceptional respect and relations between the two countries.

“Serbia and Azerbaijan are friendly nations. The very name of the holiday is not a coincidence. I know well how much the Serbian people, in different periods, have done everything to preserve their statehood. They made sacrifices, and you support and respect the interests of your people and country. That is why, under your leadership, Serbia is developing successfully, and the same applies on the international stage, where Serbia enjoys great respect,” Aliyev emphasized.

The President of Azerbaijan stated that Serbia is developing successfully today, relying primarily on its own strength, and that Vucic possesses exceptional leadership qualities.

“Today, the first session of the Strategic Council was held, and we had a one-on-one meeting where we addressed a broad range of issues. We have very clear plans for the future, both political and economic. We will further encourage our cooperation at the international level and within international platforms. We will continue to support each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Aliyev underlined.

He announced that the construction of a joint power plant will be overseen at the presidential level and that the power plant, along with all related processes, is made possible thanks to the favorable investment climate in Serbia.

“Thanks to the reforms undertaken in this country, many states are showing interest in investing,” Aliyev stressed.

He recalled that Azerbaijan had begun delivering gas to Serbia some time ago and said that today an increase in supply volumes was agreed upon.

According to him, this gas will be used for electricity generation, thereby opening export opportunities for Serbia in the near future.

“I believe that my official visit will yield excellent results and that we will very soon see tangible outcomes,” Aliyev said.

He invited the President of Serbia to visit Azerbaijan, expressing confidence that there will be several opportunities this year for exchanges of visits. He also announced that he will certainly visit Serbia again this year, as he feels at home in the country.

Prior to the addresses by the two presidents, ministers of Serbia and Azerbaijan exchanged seven signed bilateral cooperation agreements.

The document on cooperation in the construction of a gas-fired power plant was exchanged by Serbia’s Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov.

The Agreement between the Government of Serbia and the Government of Azerbaijan on cooperation in the field of food safety was exchanged by Serbia’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Dragan Glamocic and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Finance Sahil Babayev.

A Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Economy of Serbia and the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan was exchanged by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Adrijana Mesarovic and Minister Mikayil Jabbarov.

A Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications of Serbia and the Media Development Agency of Azerbaijan on cooperation in the field of media and communications was exchanged by Minister Boris Bratina and Minister Sahil Babayev.

A Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of culture between the Ministry of Culture of Serbia and the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan for the period 2026–2030 was exchanged by Serbia’s Minister of Culture Nikola Selakovic and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Culture Adil Karimli.

A Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Sport of Serbia and the Ministry of Youth and Sport of Azerbaijan in the field of sport was exchanged by Minister Zoran Gajic and Minister Farid Gayibov.

A Memorandum of Understanding in the field of health insurance between the Republic Health Insurance Fund of Serbia (RFZO) and the State Agency for Mandatory Health Insurance of Azerbaijan was exchanged by Acting Director of the RFZO Sanja Radojevic Skodric and the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Serbia, Kamil Khasiyev.