President Sheikh Mohamed held high-level talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade on Saturday, during a one-day working visit to the country in which the two leaders oversaw the exchange of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa).
The agreement paves the way for increased trade and investment flows and bilateral private sector collaboration between the two countries, state news agency Wam reported.
Sheikh Mohamed commended the exchange of the Cepa as a milestone in the relations between the UAE and Serbia. “The Cepa exchange with Serbia is a notable step forward in our efforts to create a network of trade agreements that will accelerate investment, promote knowledge-sharing, and create opportunities for joint ventures in high-growth sectors," he said.
"Serbia represents an important addition to the Cepa programme and a bridge into the high-potential region of Eastern Europe. The UAE-Serbia Cepa reflects our shared ambition to establish a new era of collaboration between our nations and unlock long-term, sustainable growth for both our economies.”
During their meetings, the leaders explored ways to expand co-operation as part of a strategic partnership in place between the nations and reviewed progress already made to bolster links in key sectors such as investment, economy, and trade, as well as technology, food security and renewable energy.
President Vucic said Sheikh Mohamed's visit would advance ties and support shared ambitions for their countries.
Discussions also touched on a number of regional and international issues, with both men stressing the importance of finding peaceful solutions to crises affecting many parts of the world.
Sheikh Mohamed said the UAE believes that co-operation and dialogue are crucial to resolving disputes through peaceful means. He emphasised that the Emirates is a strong supporter of peace and stability in the Balkans and places great importance on its relations with the region’s countries, especially Serbia.
Sheikh Mohamed was greeted on arrival at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport by Mr Vucic, who also accompanied his guest to the airport for his departure.
The President's delegation included Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, Adviser for Special Affairs at the Presidential Court; Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade; Ahmed Al Menhali, UAE ambassador to Serbia and other senior officials.
Dr Al Zeyoudi said that the Cepa between the UAE and Serbia marks the first agreement under the UAE's Cepa programme with a country that is not a member of the World Trade Organisation.
He told Wam that the agreement features a tariff reduction and elimination of up to 96 per cent across customs tariff lines, compared to some countries with which agreements have been signed, all of which are WTO members. This initiative comes in light of the significant potential to increase non-oil trade between the two friendly countries, he said.
In September, 2023, the countries began negotiations for a Cepa to strengthen bilateral trade and investment flows.
In the first half of 2023, bilateral non-oil trade reached $57.6 million, surpassing the total recorded for the whole of 2020, the ministry said.
Sheikh Mohamed previously met Mr Vucic in the Serbian capital in June last year for talks on efforts to boost security in the Balkans.
The visit to Belgrade comes after Sheikh Mohamed travelled to Egypt on Thursday on another working visit, in which he held talks with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and witnessed the signing of agreements between the long-standing allies.
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
Results
1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1hr 32mins 03.897sec
2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull-Honda) at 0.745s
3. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 37.383s
4. Lando Norris (McLaren) 46.466s
5.Sergio Perez (Red Bull-Honda) 52.047s
6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 59.090s
7. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) 1:06.004
8. Carlos Sainz Jr (Ferrari) 1:07.100
9. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri-Honda) 1:25.692
10. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:26.713,
The specs: Macan Turbo
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October
Tips for used car buyers
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Tarek Kabrit, chief executive of Seez, and Imad Hammad, chief executive and co-founder of CarSwitch.com
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Kanye%20West
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SERIES INFO
Cricket World Cup League Two
Nepal, Oman, United States tri-series
Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu
Fixtures
Wednesday February 5, Oman v Nepal
Thursday, February 6, Oman v United States
Saturday, February 8, United States v Nepal
Sunday, February 9, Oman v Nepal
Tuesday, February 11, Oman v United States
Wednesday, February 12, United States v Nepal
Table
The top three sides advance to the 2022 World Cup Qualifier.
The bottom four sides are relegated to the 2022 World Cup playoff
1 United States 8 6 2 0 0 12 0.412
2 Scotland 8 4 3 0 1 9 0.139
3 Namibia 7 4 3 0 0 8 0.008
4 Oman 6 4 2 0 0 8 -0.139
5 UAE 7 3 3 0 1 7 -0.004
6 Nepal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 PNG 8 0 8 0 0 0 -0.458
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Without Remorse
Directed by: Stefano Sollima
Starring: Michael B Jordan
4/5
PROFILE
Name: Enhance Fitness
Year started: 2018
Based: UAE
Employees: 200
Amount raised: $3m
Investors: Global Ventures and angel investors
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
