North Korea–Serbia relations

North Korea–Serbia relations

North Korea	Serbia

The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea had established diplomatic relations on October 30, 1948. Relations had been very close during the time of Josip Broz Tito and Kim Il-sung. Both leaders had taken a neutral stance during the Sino-Soviet split and maintained friendly relations with both the Soviet Union and China. Both Serbia and North Korea are members of the Non-Aligned Movement. Yugoslavia, of which Serbia was a part, was one of the movement's founding members. Both countries closed their embassies in each other's capitals in October and November 2001, respectively, for financial reasons. Nevertheless, they continue to enjoy a close relations. The Serbian Embassy to North Korea is accredited from Beijing, China, and the North Korean embassy to Serbia is accredited from Sofia, Bulgaria.

Bilateral agreements

• May 25, 1971: agreement on trade and payments.
• September 4, 1973: agreement on the abolition of visas between the two countries.
• November 4, 1974: agreement on cultural cooperation.
• February 22, 1975: agreement on the setting up of a consultative commission for economic and scientific-technical cooperation.
• November 6, 1975: agreement on air services.
• December 11, 1975: agreement on cooperation in telecommunications.
• February 20, 1978: agreement on cooperation in the fields of health, medical science and pharmaceuticals.
• September 20, 1978: agreement on providing health services free of charge to the diplomatic personnel and members of their families on a reciprocal basis.
• March 4, 1982: agreement on the mutual abolition of visas between the SFRY and the DPR of Korea for citizens of the two countries holding ordinary passports when travelling on business.
• November 15, 1995: protocol concerning cooperation between the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the FRY and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the DPR of Korea.
• December 3, 1997: agreed minutes between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea regarding the treaties in force between the two countries.
• August 26, 1998: agreement on the mutual promotion and protection of investments.
• March 15, 2001: cultural exchange programme between the Federal Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Government of the DPR of Korea for the years 2001–2003.

Trade relations

Under President Slobodan Milosevic, Serbia had a very close relationship with North Korea. It was rumoured that North Korean students came to study in Belgrade. Yet trade between Yugoslavia and North Korea was very limited, worth roughly 1.37 million Euros.

See also

• Foreign relations of North Korea
• Foreign relations of Serbia

External links

• Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relations with North Korea
• Serbian embassy in Beijing (also accredited to North Korea)