Key Points
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Serbia–DR Congo partnership expands with new cooperation plans.
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Officials target joint projects across trade and infrastructure.
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Talks position Serbia–DR Congo partnership for long-term gains.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić on Friday received Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Tshisekedi with full state honors in Belgrade, opening a day of high-level talks aimed at resetting and expanding relations between the two countries. Tshisekedi’s visit, held at the Palace of Serbia, marked one of the most prominent bilateral engagements between Serbia and the central African nation in recent years.
Leaders strengthen Serbia–Congo diplomatic ties
Both leaders held a closed-door meeting before joining their wider delegations for a plenary session, where officials refined areas of cooperation and reviewed progress in earlier diplomatic exchanges. At the end of the discussions, the two presidents presided over a ceremonial signing of four new bilateral agreements, signaling what they described as a renewed commitment to building a long-term political and economic partnership.
Vučić said Serbia sees “major opportunities” to expand its ties with the Democratic Republic of Congo, pointing to sectors such as mining, energy, agriculture, education, technology transfer, and infrastructure development as priority areas. He added that Belgrade is eager to build modern cooperation frameworks that not only strengthen government-to-government relations but also open doors for private-sector partnerships. According to him, the agreements signed on Friday represent “the beginning of a new chapter” in Serbia–DR Congo relations, with both countries positioning themselves for deeper collaboration in global markets that continue to shift amid geopolitical tensions.
New agreements open cooperation opportunities
Tshisekedi, in his remarks after the meeting, thanked Serbia for its continued support of Congo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, noting that the two nations have enjoyed a relationship based on mutual respect since the era of Yugoslavia. He said their talks covered a broad range of issues including national security, defense cooperation, agricultural modernization, investment promotion, healthcare strengthening, and education partnerships.
The Congolese president also highlighted the importance of industrial development and value addition—particularly in mining, an area where the DRC holds some of the world’s most strategic mineral reserves. He said Serbia’s growing expertise in engineering, processing, and infrastructure could create mutually beneficial ventures that support Congo’s long-term development goals.
Partnership focuses on strategic economic sectors
Officials from both sides said the new agreements would serve as a foundation for more stable and predictable cooperation, and that follow-up committees would be established to ensure implementation. Analysts in Belgrade noted that Serbia has been actively seeking new diplomatic and economic partners beyond Europe, while the DRC continues to look for international alliances capable of supporting domestic reforms and industrial expansion.
The visit ended with both leaders expressing optimism that the partnership would continue to grow, driven by shared interests and the global need for stronger cross-regional cooperation.
