Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke by phone on Friday with United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan about the coming summit on climate change, cooperation and current regional and global geopolitical issues.

The Serbian President’s office said Vucic thanked the Sheikh for the invitation to attend the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference COP28 that is to be held at the end of the year in the UAE, adding he hopes he will have an opportunity to speak with him in person.

Vucic said partnership with the UAE is of utmost importance for Belgrade, “not just because of its global reputation, but also because of the attention this influential country pays to its relations with Serbia.”

He added that “in difficult times Serbia could always rely on the Emirates,” and thanked the UAE for its influence on the international scene aimed at easing tensions in Kosovo and supporting a peaceful resolution of the crisis.

The two officials also exchanged opinions on the current regional and international issues of common interests, and agreed to continue working together on advancing the economic and investment partnership between the two countries.