Saudi Arabia–Serbia relations

Saudi–Serbian relations refers to bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Serbia.

Saudi–Serbian relations

Saudi Arabia
Serbia

Establishment of relations

Saudi Arabia was the last Arab country Serbia and its predecessor Yugoslavia had never established relations, until 2013 when the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Serbia to the United Nations, Feodor Starčević and the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations, Abdallah Al-Mouallimi, signed on 17 April 2013 in New York the Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the two countries.[1]

Kosovo dispute
See also: Kosovo–Saudi Arabia relations

Kosovo[a] declared independence in 2008 and Saudi Arabia recognized her in 2009.[2][3] Kosovo's independence was strongly opposed by Serbia, which has maintained the view that Kosovo is an integral part of Serbia.

During the NATO bombings of Yugoslavia in 1999, which related to the Kosovo dispute, Saudi Arabia had called for restraint.[4] Saudi Arabia had also sent lethal weapons to Kosovo Albanian force, but refused to make a further involvement except enhancing cultural power in Kosovo.[5]

Military relations

Since official establishment of relations between Saudi Arabia and Serbia in 2013, Serbia has emerged as a major weapon supplier for Saudi Arabia. Since 2016, Serbia has been the center of controversies over arms deals with Saudi Arabia.[6]

In May 2017, a joint BIRN and OCCRP investigation revealed a large number of Serbian weapons have been purchased by Saudi Arabia via a Bulgarian tycoon to sell for Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia and Saudi-backed groups fighting in Yemen and Syria.[7] The accusation on Serbia over weapon selling to Saudi Arabia resurfaced in August 2019 when Serbian weapons were found to be used by Sudanese Janjaweed with Saudi Arabia was the buyer.[8]

In December 2019, Serbian military company Krusik had been involved in a scandal with regard to Saudi Arabia's arms deals; Serbian authorities were accused of silencing the detail to secure trades with Riyadh.[9]

Economic relations

Since establishment of relations, Saudi Arabia and Serbia have witnessed economic trades booming. Saudi Kingdom’s two-way trade with Serbia stood at $31 million in 2017 when Serbia aimed to reach higher economic tie.[10]

Diplomatic missions

Saudi Arabia maintains an embassy in Belgrade and Serbia has an embassy in Riyadh.

Notes
a. ^ Kosovo is the subject of a territorial dispute between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia. The Republic of Kosovo unilaterally declared independence on 17 February 2008. Serbia continues to claim it as part of its own sovereign territory. The two governments began to normalise relations in 2013, as part of the 2013 Brussels Agreement. Kosovo is currently recognized as an independent state by 98 out of the 193 United Nations member states. In total, 113 UN member states recognized Kosovo at some point, of which 15 later withdrew their recognition.

References
  1. "The establishment of diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia". www.mfa.gov.rs.
  2. "Saudi Arabia recognizes Kosovo". New Kosova Report. 2009-04-20. Archived from the original on 2009-04-22. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  3. "Saudi Arabia announces recognition of the Republic of Kosovo". Saudi Press Agency. 2009-04-20. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  4. "Yugoslavia: Iran, Iraq, Other Musim Countries Resent NATO Bombing". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty.
  5. John Pike (May 1999). "Kosovo Liberation Army [KLA]". Globalsecurity.org.
  6. Patrucic, Lawrence Marzouk, Ivan Angelovski and Miranda. "Making a Killing: The €1.2 Billion Arms Pipeline to Middle East". OCCRP.
  7. "Serbia Defends Saudi Arms Sales After BIRN/OCCRP Probe". May 11, 2017.
  8. "Saudi Arabia & Murky European Weapons Transfers To Janjaweed Successor Group". bellingcat. August 28, 2019.
  9. "Serbian leaders rattled by Krusik arms export scandal | DW | 06.12.2019". DW.COM.
  10. "Kingdom, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia to reach new heights in economic relations". Arab News. January 31, 2017.
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