For many Filipinos, Serbia is best known as the home of tennis legend Novak Djokovic. But beyond the Grand Slam champion lies a European nation seeking to deepen its partnership with the Philippines, one it says is built on shared values, growing opportunities and a common belief in dialogue.

Serbia and the Philippines established diplomatic relations in 1972. Five decades later, Belgrade sees Manila not only as a longtime friend but also as a strategic partner in Southeast Asia.

In an exclusive interview with the DAILY TRIBUNE, Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Marko Đurić outlined his country’s vision for expanding ties with the Philippines, from trade and education to diplomacy and regional cooperation.

A landlocked nation in Southeastern Europe with a population of more than six million, Serbia sees itself as a bridge between Europe and Asia — and believes the Philippines can play a similar role in the Indo-Pacific.

Shared principles, history

For Đurić, the relationship between the two countries has long been anchored on mutual respect for sovereignty and international law.

“Serbia and the Philippines share a long, friendly, positive history of diplomatic relations. We’ve always been by each other’s side at difficult historic intersections and moments. We immensely appreciate the steadfast support of the Philippines for the basic principles of international public law, for the respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of independent nations.”

The 43-year-old foreign minister said Serbia highly values the Philippines’ consistent support for its territorial integrity, describing it as a reflection of the two countries’ shared commitment to the rules-based international order.

A diplomatic hub

Đurić also praised the Philippines’ role as this year’s ASEAN chair, saying Manila has emerged as an important venue for international dialogue.

“On the other hand, I believe that congratulations are to the government and the people of the Philippines for hosting a successful peacemaking summit here in Manila at a crucial point for the international order.”

He pointed to the presence of senior officials from major world powers during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

“The very fact that here in Manila you had a meeting is something that brings hope, frankly speaking, in an era in which dialogue is, for some, almost a forbidden word.”

Đurić, who has an extensive diplomatic background, having served as Serbia’s ambassador to the United States, Antigua and Barbuda, and Colombia, among other posts, said bringing competing powers together around one table demonstrates the Philippines’ growing diplomatic influence.

He commended Manila for fostering discussions based on “principles of cooperation, based on principles of non-violence, based on principles of peaceful and constructive discussion,” adding that he was “very encouraged by all this.”

‘The stars are aligned’

Despite Serbia’s relatively small size, Đurić said his country has much to offer.

“We have a lot of ambition, and we have something to offer,” he said.