UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met today with the President of Serbia His Excellency Aleksandar Vučić in Abu Dhabi to explore ways to further strengthen bilateral ties. Sheikh Mohamed welcomed President Vučić, who is on a working visit to the UAE, at Qasr Al Watan, expressing his hope that the visit would help advance the ongoing development of relations between the two countries.
The two leaders reviewed various aspects of UAE-Serbia cooperation and discussed opportunities for further collaboration, particularly in the fields of the economy, investment, development, renewable energy, food security and other key sectors that contribute to accelerating growth and prosperity in both nations.
Building sustainable economic partnerships
The Presidents of the UAE and Serbia also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern, particularly the latest developments in the Middle East.
In this context, they emphasised the importance of intensifying efforts to restore security and stability in the region, promote dialogue and diplomatic solutions, and support peace, stability and development at both regional and global levels.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening UAE–Serbia relations and building sustainable economic partnerships that support development priorities and meet the aspirations of both nations and their peoples.
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UAE-Serbia CEPA to contribute $351 million to UAE’s GDP by 2031
The meeting between the Presidents of the UAE and Serbia comes after the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two countries came into effect in May 2025, seeking to boost trade volumes and foster economic growth in both countries.
The UAE-Serbia CEPA aims to boost bilateral non-oil trade, which reached approximately $121.4 million in 2024, double the level of trade when compared to 2021, with projections indicating a substantial increase in bilateral trade that will contribute $351 million to the UAE’s GDP by 2031.
This growth is anticipated through the elimination and reduction of customs duties for over 96 percent of tariff lines, thereby enhancing market access and fostering a more conducive environment for private sector collaboration.
“The activation of the UAE-Serbia CEPA heralds a new chapter in our economic relations, creating new avenues for collaboration, investment and trade that will benefit both our nations. Through this agreement, we are committed to unlocking significant opportunities that will create jobs, strengthen supply chains, and facilitate a thriving environment for businesses in both countries,” said Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade.
