Political relations
Bilateral relations between the Republic of Serbia and the Kingdom of Spain are excellent. Officials in both countries rate them as friendly and privileged. The President of the Republic of Serbia, A. Vučić visited Madrid on 23rd February 2022, upon invitation of the King of Spain Felipe VI and he also has a meeting with PM P. Sanchez. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia N. Selaković held a meeting with MFA of Spain H. Albares on 23rd February in Madrid. MFA M. Selaković visited Spain on 3 and 4 May 2021. In 2016 and 2017, the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Serbia and Spain was marked. The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Mr Ivica Dacic visited Spain on 20 October 2021, and during 2021 the Minister of Interior A. Vulin and Minister of Defense N. Stefanovic also visited Spain. Prime Minister Ana Brnabić visited Spain in August 2019 at the invitation of the then Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, Josep Borrell. The previous Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, Josep Borrell, visited Serbia in March 2019.
Economic relations
Serbia and Spain are committed to strengthening economic cooperation, which has a lot of potential. Trade has been growing steadily in recent years.
Reestablishing of direct flights of Air Serbia, on routes Belgrade – Madrid, Belgrade – Barcelona, Belgrade – Valencia, as well as seasonal flight Belgrade – Palma de Majorca, , is important for the overall Serbian–Spanish cooperation, especially in the field of economy and tourism. During 2021, overall exchange of goods has reached 811,4 million euros, with an increase of 36,8 %, mostly because of the growth of exports from Serbia, which reached 351,1 million euros. In 2020 exports from Serbia amounted to 218,6 million euros, and imports to 374,3 million euros. Spain singles out renewable energy sources, transport infrastructure, agro-industry, energy and environmental protection as the most attractive sectors for investments in Serbia. Realistic prospects for increasing exports to the Spanish market have rubber, wood, furniture industry and food products (frozen and canned fruit).
Bilateral agreements
A total of 28 bilateral agreements are in force, and some of the most important are as follows:
1. Agreement between the Republic of Serbia and the Kingdom of Spain concerning cooperation in the field of fight against crime – date of signature: 30 January 2011, date of ratification: 5 July 2011, and date of entry into force: 31 October 2011,
2. Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Kingdom of Spain on cooperation in the field of defence – date of signature: 9 March 2009, date of ratification: 5 May 2010, and date of entry into force: 9 March 2009,
3. Agreement between the Republic of Serbia and the Kingdom of Spain on the Avoidance of Double Taxation with respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital – date of signature: 9 March 2009, date of ratification: 11 December 2009, and date of entry into force: 28 March 2010,
4. Agreement between Serbia and Montenegro and Spain on Mutual Visa Exemption for Holders of Diplomatic, Service Passports and Passports for Public Affairs – date of signature: 17 May 2005, date of ratification: 11 May 2006, and date of entry into force: 30 June 2006.
Contact information
The Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Madrid (Spain): http://www.madrid.mfa.gov.rs.
The Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in Belgrade (Serbia): http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/BELGRADO/en/Embajada/Pages/HorariosLocalizacionContacto.aspx.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia – Department for Europe: tel. 00 381 (0) 11 30 68 326, e-mail: oev@mfa.rs.