Serbian Foreign Minister Đurić bolsters ASEAN partnership at Manila summit

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić led a delegation to Manila for the ASEAN summit, marking the first ministerial visit to the Philippines in 16 years. He met Chilean Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Macken and Philippine Foreign Minister Teresa Lazaro, urging stronger political and economic cooperation and thanking Chile for its stance on Serbia’s territorial integrity.

Đurić highlighted Serbia’s trade with ASEAN, which exceeded €1.3 billion last year, and promoted participation in the Specialized Expo 2027 in Belgrade, seeking confirmations from ASEAN members, especially the Philippines. He noted Serbia’s recent signing of a Friendship and Cooperation Agreement with ASEAN and stressed the region’s growing global influence.

The minister also referenced broader international issues discussed at the summit, such as global security, economic crises, AI development, and great‑power relations, positioning Serbia as a proactive, multivector partner in future diplomatic and economic initiatives.