Djuric speaks with Nigerian FM

BELGRADE - Serbian FM Marko Djuric spoke with Nigerian FM Yusuf Maitama Tuggar by phone on Thursday, noting that there was considerable potential for forging ties between the two countries in trade and agriculture, as well as in education and defence.

"Minister Djuric emphasised that Serbia and Nigeria enjoy a longstanding friendship, rooted in the period of the former Yugoslavia.

He underlined that this year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and reaffirmed Serbia’s strong commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation with Nigeria in all areas," the Serbian MFA said in a statement.

"In regard to enhancing economic ties, Minister Djuric noted that there is considerable potential for deeper cooperation in the fields of trade and agriculture, as well as in education and defense.

He stated that Serbia has doubled its GDP over the past decade and significantly strengthened its economy, providing a solid foundation for expanding its international partnerships across the globe.

Minister Djuric also highlighted the World in Serbia scholarship programme as a valuable opportunity for further connecting the two countries and their peoples in the field of education, recalling that Nigerian students have been beneficiaries of this programme," it said.

"He expressed the hope that reciprocal visits by the foreign ministers of the two countries will take place in the near future, as they would provide an excellent opportunity to deepen political dialogue and advance concrete cooperation in areas of mutual interest," the ministry also said.