Iran Air Resumes Flights to Belgrade After 27 Years

Iran Air resumed its flights to Belgrade on Tuesday, March 13, after a 27-year hiatus. This event can be seen as a sign of improving relations between Iran and Serbia. The two countries had close ties until the early 1990s, when the former Yugoslavia collapsed, of which Serbia was a part, and a civil war broke out. During that war, Serbia fought against Muslims by supporting Bosnian Serbs and also faced an armed uprising from Albanian Muslims in Kosovo. Now, Serbia is focusing on non-European markets like Iran to develop its tourism industry and improve the country's economic growth, which can attract tourists and also serve as a good market for its agricultural exports. Last August, Serbia and Iran agreed to eliminate visas for citizens traveling between the two countries. According to statistics from the Serbian Refugee Agency, this decision has led to an increase in the number of refugees from Iran, rising from 120 in August to 480 in February this year. Rescuers warn that many migrants wishing to travel from Iran to Western Europe may use the direct flight from Tehran to Belgrade. Rasim Ljajic, the Serbian Minister of Trade and Tourism, stated at a press conference, 'Of course, every positive action has its risks. Iranians have used Belgrade as a transit route to Western Europe.' He added that the two countries have agreed to enhance joint measures to prevent illegal migration. Mr. Ljajic mentioned that 'in Iran, passenger checks at the time of boarding will be increased. At the same time, we have agreed to form a joint committee to quickly resolve issues.' Latif Shahi, an Iranian citizen, arrived in Belgrade six months ago using the visa-free travel option from Istanbul. He is currently residing in a refugee camp in southern Serbia. Mr. Shahi said, 'Each of us has our own problems and we want to go somewhere where we are respected as human beings.' He added that he does not intend to stay in Serbia and wants to continue his journey to Western Europe. In 2015, over 650,000 people, many fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and other regions, passed through Serbia to reach the European Union. This route was blocked in March 2016, but the influx of migrants from the Middle East and Africa continued, and currently, more than 3,500 people housed in refugee camps are waiting to go to other countries.