Georgia and the Republic of Serbia are set to begin negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), following the signing of a joint statement announcing the launch of talks. The document was signed by Georgia’s Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Mariam Kvrivishvili, and Serbia’s Minister of Internal and Foreign Trade, Jagoda Lazarević, during an official visit to Serbia, according to the Georgian Ministry of Economy.

The significance of concluding a free trade agreement was discussed at the second meeting of the Georgia–Serbia Joint Governmental Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation, held in Belgrade. The heads of the economic agencies stressed the need to expedite the start of negotiations, noting that an FTA would play a key role in strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations.

The joint statement sets out a comprehensive framework for economic partnership, covering trade in goods and other areas of economic cooperation.

The document describes the agreement as a modern and forward-looking framework designed to create new opportunities for exporters in both countries. It highlights the importance of enhancing cooperation between Georgian exporters and leading Serbian distributors and importers, citing alcoholic beverages, pharmaceuticals, and packaging materials as sectors with strong potential to boost bilateral trade.

The Georgian Ministry of Economy reported that the first round of FTA negotiations is expected to take place in the first half of 2026.