History

Bilateral diplomatic relations between Ireland and Serbia were established in 1977, formalising links between our two countries that are both ancient and strong.

While small countries, we are both strategically positioned on the very West and the very East of the European Continent, and continue to play ever more important roles in the largest world markets.

Given our two histories, peace is at the top of our agendas, and supporting institutions and initiatives that bring greater security and self-determination are shared objectives.

As independent countries, we are also still young, hungry for Foreign Direct Investment to stimulate employment and infrastructure growth bolstered by resilient, outward looking expertise-driven education systems.

People are the preeminent driver of both our economies, defining our approach to work, play, family and faith. We strive to guarantee that our national identities are organically interwoven into the tapestry of modern Europe, rather than being quietly overwhelmed in a continental melting pot.

Perhaps that strength of identity is no surprise given that we are both influenced by a shared Celtic culture. Serbia’s capital on the Danube is thought to have been founded by Celtic Tribes, while the island of Ireland’s historical evolution was deepened and enrichened by the legacy of the Celts.

More recently, most Serbs know that it was mainly Irish volunteers, far from home, who protected their army’s flank as it was forced to retreat to Albania and onwards to Corfu during WWI.

As Yugoslavia fell and new independent nations rose, Irish advisors played key roles in guiding these new border states. In the context of our seasoned neutrality, the Irish seemed familiar in experience, outlook, and intention to the Serbs.

Over the last 50 years, Irish people have travelled extensively to Serbia and other parts of former Yugoslavia to holiday, in pilgrimage, and also to settle.

While trade between our two countries is currently modest, the numbers are increasing. An inherent mutual understanding and many shared cultural values pave the way for an opportunity to become more significant transactional partners, while also engaging strategically to prosper and learn together in difficult geopolitical times.

As Ireland did in the second half of the 20th century, Serbia shows growing potential to become a major centre for innovation and excellence in Food and Agricultural Technology, ICT and Digital Transformation, and of course Tourism, particularly once the bilateral visa regime is improved, and direct flights are introduced.

The transformation Ireland has undergone over the past 60 years can contribute to the development of the Serbian economic ecosystem, ensuring that potential is turned into growth. Likewise, as Serbia reaches out to international partners to accelerate an already rapid growth trajectory, Ireland can learn from much of the progressive thinking being implemented in a country so rich in local human capital.