Serbia–Syria relations are foreign relations between the Republic of Serbia and the Syrian Arab Republic. Serbia has an embassy in Damascus. Syria has an embassy in Belgrade. Syria is also a member of the Non-Aligned Movement, while Serbia is an observer.
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Diplomatic relations
editDiplomatic relations with Syria were established in 1946.[citation needed]
In 2008, Syria did not recognize Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence. Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremić visited the Syrian Arab Republic in May 2009 and met with Walid Muallem.[1]
On 13 May 2009, Syria's ambassador to Serbia, Majed Shadoud, reported that Syrian president Bashar al-Assad told Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić that his country continues to oppose the recognition of the independence of Kosovo. Shadoud quoted al-Assad as saying "Syria urges a political solution for the situation in the Balkans and the Middle East and is opposed to any kind of divisions in both regions, regardless of whether religious, ethnic or nationalist reasons are in question".[2] Syria voted against Kosovo's admission to UNESCO in 2015.
Economic relations
edit- In 2020, the total trade in goods was US$18.2 million. Exports from Serbia were worth 458,000 dollars and imports were worth 17.8 million.
- In 2019, a total of US$13 million worth of goods were exchanged. Exports were worth slightly more than 1 million and imports 12 million.
- In 2018, the total trade in goods was US$22.4 million. Exports from Serbia were worth 445,000 dollars and imports were worth 22 million.
Serbian citizens in Syria
editSerbs living in Syria are for the most part women married to Syrians, and the Foreign Ministry in Belgrade puts their number in the hundreds. Some of the marriages are the legacy of close political and economic ties formed in the communist era between the Arab world and communist countries like Yugoslavia.[3]
Syrian citizens in Serbia
editBy the first half of 2013, 432 citizens of Syria had requested asylum in Serbia.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Билатерални односи са Сиријом". Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
- ^ Syria "refuses to recognize Kosovo" Archived 15 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine, B92, 13 May 2009
- ^ "Serbia to evacuate citizens from Syria because of worsening situation". Associated Press. 2 August 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Sirijci najbrojniji u centrima za azil". 021.rs. 3 September 2013.