Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic voiced his hope that the Society of Egyptian–Serbian Friendship, that has been established today, will be crucial to the strengthening of ties between these two countries.

Speaking at the constituting session of the Society of Egyptian–Serbian Friendship, Jeremic underlined that today’s relations between Serbia and Egypt are marked by political understanding, mutual support and close economic, cultural and tourist ties.

He recalled that Belgrade and Cairo established diplomatic ties in 1908, when the first representative office of the then Kingdom of Serbia opened in Cairo, followed by an embassy in 1922, with Jovan Ducic as the first ambassador.

From that time onwards, Belgrade and Cairo have maintained intense and fulfilled relations, which climaxed in the second half of the 20th century, Jeremic stressed, recalling the meeting of presidents Gamal Abdel Nasser and Josip Broz Tito in 1954, when the idea of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was conceived.

Jeremic highlighted that Serbia’s role and engagement in NAM are the peak of Serbia’s international role and influence, voicing his pleasure at the fact that the 50th anniversary of NAM will be observed in Belgrade.

The first summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in 1961 in Belgrade marked the beginning of a new bright era of Serbia’s international relations.

Ali Galal Basyouni
Photo: Fonet
Egyptian Ambassador to Serbia Ali Galal Basyouni, whose country is currently presiding over NAM, stressed that Cairo has welcomed Serbia’s initiative to celebrate NAM’s 50th anniversary in Belgrade.

Basyouni voiced his expectation that the Society of Egyptian–Serbian Friendship will help to further improve mutual cooperation and understanding.

Jeremic and Basyouni have been declared honorary chairmen of the Society of Egyptian–Serbian Friendship.