Peru and Serbia maintain diplomatic relations established between Peru and the Kingdom of Yugoslavia before World War II, which were broken off in 1947 and renewed in 1967.[1]
Peru is home to a small community of Serbs, although Croats make up a much larger group.[2]
Peru had relations with the Kingdom of Yugoslavia since the 1920s.[3] During the World War II in Yugoslavia, Peru established economic and consular relations with the Yugoslav government-in-exile in 1942,[4] and the consulate and embassy accredited to Peru were then located in Santiago de Chile.[5] Relations continued after the war,[6] with Josip Broz Tito visiting Peru in 1963,[7] and were elevated to embassy level in 1967.[8][9] A Yugoslav consulate opened in Lima,[4] and a Peruvian embassy was opened in Belgrade.[8][9]
After the breakup of Yugoslavia, Peru continued relations with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro)[10] and its other successor states, such as Croatia in 1993.[11] The Peruvian embassy in Belgrade closed in 2006, a couple of months after the independence of Montenegro, and the Peruvian Ambassador to Romania became accredited to Serbia until 2018, when the Peruvian Ambassador to Hungary became accredited instead after a series of reforms.[12] On the other hand, the Serbian embassy's closure was announced and finalized in 2009, with the Serbian mission in Buenos Aires becoming accredited to Peru instead.[13] In 2019, the Serbian government opened a honorary consulate in Lima.[14]
Peru recognised Kosovo in 2008 after the latter declared its independence from Serbia.[15][16] In relation to the announcement, Peru stressed that it wished to maintain its warm relations with Serbia, highlighting the work of Serbian company Energoprojekt in Peru.[16] Nevertheless, the announcement led to controversy with the Serbian authorities, who recalled their ambassador for a couple of months.[3] This event was the main reason for the closure of the Serbian embassy in Lima.[17]
High-level visit from Serbia to Peru
Trade between two countries amounted to $16 million in 2022; Peruvian merchandise export to Serbia were about $10 million; Serbian exports were standing at $6 million.[19]