International Cooperation
Dragoslava Jovanovica 2, office 8
Snezana Lazarevic, 3216-405, 3247-424
Miljan Maljevic 3216-408
According to the Statute of the City of Belgrade (“Official Gazette of the City of Belgrade” No 39/08) Decisions on the amendment of the Statute of the City of Belgrade (“Official Gazette of the City of Belgrade” No 6/10 and 23/13) , Article 13 the City of Belgrade may cooperate with the units of local self-government of other states in the framework of foreign policy of the republic of Serbia by observing territorial integrity and legal order of the Republic of Serbia, in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
By the development of the existing and intensifying international cooperation the City of Belgrade significantly contributes to the further affirmation of both political and economic and cultural centre of this part of Europe. Contacts with prominent persons of international, political, cultural and public life are established as well as with the representatives of international sports associations. International cooperation also reflects on the positioning of the City of Belgrade on the map of the most attractive tourist destinations which is recognized in an increased number of visitors and nights spent in our city every year.
The analysis of the cooperation which the City of Belgrade achieved with foreign cities in the past period bring s to the conclusion about a wide spectrum of this cooperation and its diversified forms. Cooperation is developed through meetings of official delegations, exchange of expert and study groups, involvement in the work of international organizations of cities, through events in the field of economy and culture, exchange of publications and other information material etc.
The Assembly of the City of Belgrade with the agreement of the Government of the Republic of Serbia decides on the establishment of cooperation, i.e. on concluding agreements on cooperation with the units of the local self-government of other states. The cited acts signed with other local self-governments in the framework of international cooperation of the City of Belgrade are:
- Vienna, Austria – Cooperation Agreement between the City of Vienna and the City of Belgrade, October 2019
- Shanghai, PR China – Agreement between the City of Shanghai of the People’s Republic of China and the City of Belgrade of the Republic of Serbia on the Establishment of Friendship City Relationship, May 2018
- Sarajevo, BiH - Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation Between the City of Sarajevo and the City of Belgrade, November 2017
- Rabat, Morocco – Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between City of Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco and City of Belgrade, Republic of Serbia, September 2017
- Seoul, Republic of Korea - Memorandum of Understanding on Friendly Exchanges and Cooperation Between Belgrade and Seoul, August 2017
- Moscow, Russian Federation – Program of Cooperation between the City of Belgrade (Republic of Serbia) and the Moscow Government (Russian Federation) for the 2018-2020 Period, May 2017
- Shanghai, PR China - Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation and Exchange between the City of Shanghai, the People's Republic of China and the City of Belgrade, the Republic of Serbia (2017-2019), April 2017.
- Hunan Province, PR China – Letter of Intent between Belgrade of the Republic of Serbia and Hunan Province of the People’s Republic of China on the Establishment of Friendly City-Province Relationship, April 2017
- Astana, Kazakhstan – Protocol on Intentions between the City of Belgrade and Akimata the city of Astana, November 2016.
- Tehran, Iran – Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Belgrade and the City of Tehran, September 2016.
- Bern, Switzerland – Cooperation and Friendship Agreement between the City of Belgrade and the City of Bern, February 2016.
- Moscow, Russia – Protocol for organizing the Moscow Day in Belgrade in 2016 and organizing the Belgrade Day in Moscow in 2016, October 2016.
- Programme of Cooperation between the City of Belgrade and the Government of Moscow for 2015-2017, June 2015.
- Programme of Cooperation between the Assembly of the City of Belgrade and the Government of Moscow for 2003-2004, December 2002.
- Minsk, Belarus - Agreement on trade and economic, scientific and technological and cultural cooperation of the City of Belgrade and the City of Minsk, June 2014.
- Skopje, Macedonia – Cooperation Agreement between the City of Belgrade and the City of Skopje, March 2002.
- Letter of Intentions for establishing cooperation between the City of Belgrade and the City of Skopje, June 2000.
- Podgorica, Montenegro – Protocol on Cooperation between the City of Belgrade and the City of Podgorica, July 2010.
- Ljubljana, Slovenia – Agreement on Twinning the City Municipality of Ljubljana and the City of Belgrade, November 2010.
- Corfu, Greece – Charter on Sister Cities, February 2010.
- Protocol on Cooperation between the City of Belgrade and the Municipality of Corfu, September 2009.
- Shenzhen, China – Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Belgrade and the City of Shenzhen, July 2005.
- Chicago, USA – Charter on Sister Cities, June 2005.
- Banja Luka, Republika Srpsk (Serb Republic), Cooperation Agreement between the City of Banja Luka and the City of Belgrade, April 2005.
- Ljubljana, Slovenia and Zagreb Croatia – Letter of Intentions for strengthening cooperation between Belgrade, Ljubljana and Zagreb, October 2003.
- Kiev, Ukraine – protocol on Cooperation between Belgrade and Kiev, May 2002.
- Bucharest, Romania – Protocol on Cooperation between Belgrade and Bucharest, September 1999.
- Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel – Cooperation Agreement between the City of Belgrade and the City of Tel Aviv-Yafo, May 1990.
- Algeria, Algeria – declaration on Mutual Interests of the City of Belgrade and the City of Algeria, February 1991.
- Beijing, China – Cooperation Agreement between Beijing and Belgrade, October 1980.
- Berlin, Germany – Cooperation and Friendship Agreement between the City of Berlin and the City of Belgrade, November 1978.
- Rome, Italy – Friendship and Cooperation Agreement between Belgrade and Rome, October 1971.
- Budapest, Hungary – Agreement on amicable cooperation between Budapest and Belgrade, December 1970.
- Athens, Greece – Friendship and Cooperation Agreement between Belgrade and Athens, November 1966.
- Coventry, UK – Charter on Sister Cities, September 1957.
Belgrade participates in the work of international organizations of cities EUROCITIES (www.eurocities.eu) and 100 resilient cities (www.100resilientcities.org).
It has been a member of the network of the largest European cities “EUROCITIES” since 2015 which celebrated the 30-year anniversary of its establishment. The aim of networking local self-governments from over 130 largest European cities and 40 partner cities , which together count 130 million citizens in 35 countries, is the exchange of ideas and knowledge.
Since 2014 Belgrade has been a member of “100 resilient cities” whose aim is to support cities throughout the world to build resilience to growing social, economic and physical challenges of the 21st century, exchange of best practices, and jointly solving issues to combat potential dangers – fires, floods and earthquake, but also everyday issues, such as constant water shortage, criminal, violence, economic inequality, underdeveloped public transport and other issues which cities face.
Belgrade was a host to the representatives of 12 cities of Central and South-East Europe in 2015. The Summit of capitals 2015 (capitalsummit.org) was an opportunity to strengthen regional cooperation and the cooperation of European capitals, promote economic exchange and investments and the promotion of best practices in the area of infrastructure and urban development as well as public and facility services. Large infrastructure projects were discussed and the improvement of the quality of life in capitals.
Traditionally, the City of Belgrade takes part in the organization of Belgrade Investment Days (www.belgradeinvestmentdays.org.rs), an event which bring together every year a large number of domestic and foreign investors.