LOCAL PRESS

UNMIK’s presence in Kosovo in an undiminished scope to guarantee stability (Beta/RTS)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic assessed in New York that UNMIK’s presence in Kosovo and Metohija in an undiminished scope is of vital importance for stability and security in the province. “UNMIK’s presence in Kosovo and Metohija in an undiminished scope and an unchanged mandate as a guarantor of the status neutrality of the international presence is of paramount importance for promoting security and stability and for building trust between Kosovo and Metohija communities. Strengthening its financial and personnel capacities will enable the international community to assess and address, in a comprehensive and sustainable way, the problems and challenges facing the Serbian and non-Albanian populations every day.

The political situation, sensitive as it is in Kosovo and Metohija, has a major impact on building trust and confidence among its communities; UNMIK’s undiminished presence, therefore, ensures necessary security and provides guarantees, as well as impetus, to Serbs and non-Albanians to involve in the processes initiated by the Brussels agreements without fear for the future of themselves and their families. The fact that today, eighteen years after the arrival of the international presence in the Province, 200 000 internally displaced persons (IDP), forced to flee Kosovo and Metohija, continue to live in Serbia outside the Province, is a powerful argument that UNMIK’s scope should not be changed. Sustainable return has been achieved only by 1.9 per cent of them and, I am sure the Secretary-General will agree, is one of the key questions that UNMIK should accentuate in the future. But, let me point out also on this occasion, the IDP numbers in Kosovo and Metohija given in the Report do not reflect adequately the magnitude of this problem and do not call for attention to be accorded it by the Mission.

Serbia’s efforts are aimed at protecting, in a legitimate way, its national and State interests and at asserting the authority of international law, United Nations Charter and UNSCR 1244 (1999), guaranteeing Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Each and every attempt to solve any question in the relations between Belgrade and Pristina unilaterally is unacceptable and may negatively affect implementation of obligations assumed in the dialogue. In this context, I would like to emphasize my county’s disapproval, as well as the disapproval of the international community, of the efforts to establish ‘Kosovo armed force’; such unilateral acts of Pristina are fraught with potential to destabilize the security situation in the region and threaten the process of normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina. At the same time, Pristina’s efforts to promote its UDI by way of applying for membership in international organizations and, by the same token, of politicizing their work are denounced by a large number of countries, including some of those who have recognized the UDI. I take this opportunity to thank them for standing firm in the defense of international law and order and to emphasize that the only right thing to do in this international context is to discourage Pristina to seek admission to international organizations and focus on dialogue in goodwill as the only way of solving all issues. It is also worth mentioning in this connection that recent events have shown that States can and do back-track and renounce the UDI of Kosovo. Sao Tome and Principe and Suriname proved that it is possible indeed.”

Security Council: Disputes between Russia and the West on UNMIK’s future (RTS/B92/Beta/Tanjug)

The United States, France and Great Britain have once again requested before the United Nations Security Council the redefinition of UNMIK’s role; Russia opposes this fiercely; China supports UN SC Resolution 1244.  The United States, France and Great Britain requested change of mandate and reduction of UNMIK’s budget, noting that this mission has fulfilled its task. This initiative was fiercely opposed by Russia and Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic.

Russian and Chinese ambassadors spoke in favor of continuing the UNMIK mission in Kosovo, during Tuesday’s UN Security Council session dedicated to its work. At the same time, representatives of France, Great Britain and the United States called for it be abolished.

Russia’s Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said Moscow disagrees with the very optimistic assessment presented during the meeting by the Kosovo ambassador to the United States.

As he said that the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina had stalled. Nebenzya warned that events in Kosovo threatened to undermine the entire system of regional stability. He also accused Pristina of sabotaging the implementation of the agreement on the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities. “The Republic of Kosovo project is obviously failing,” said the Russian Ambassador. At the same time, he pointed to the issue of the planned transition of the Kosovo security forces into an army, which, he stressed, runs contrary to UN Resolution 1244, according to which KFOR is the only armed force in Kosovo. The diplomat also pointed to the problem of Islamic radicalism and terrorism in Kosovo.

China respects the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia and understands its concerns over Kosovo, said its representative, and emphasized that Beijing considers Resolution 1244 the legal basis for resolving this issue. Zhang Diabin called on the UN Security Council to pay attention to Kosovo and stressed that China supports UNMIK’s mandate in the current format, urging the parties in the process of resolving the Kosovo crisis to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric.

Deputy US Ambassador to the United Nations Michele Sison said that UNMIK had fulfilled its mandate in Kosovo, and that it was now time to transition the mission and direct United Nations resources to more critical issues. The reporting and briefing period should change from three months to six months or even longer, she said, adding reiterating support for full international recognition of Kosovo and its membership in all relevant organizations, including the United Nations and Interpol.

“There is no need for a peacekeeping mission in Kosovo,” said the representative of France.

The future of Kosovo, Anne Gueguen added, lies primarily in the outcome of dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina under European Union auspices. At the same time, she welcomed the initiative of President Aleksandar Vucic to initiate an internal dialogue on Kosovo, as well as integration of the Serb judges and prosecutors into the judicial system of Kosovo.

“We of course welcome UNMIK’s years of service in Kosovo, and we’re grateful to you Special Representative for all of your efforts. But just as Kosovo must come to terms with the past, so must UNMIK. The UN needs to recognize that Kosovo today is not the same country as it was when UNMIK first arrived. Put simply, UNMIK’s operating environment has changed – and, on current trend, will continue to keep changing for the better. So we need to see a full and effective transition from UNMIK to Kosovan institutions or other international organizations which have taken over historic UNMIK roles, including missing persons. This is the time for UNMIK to be doing less, not more,” the UK representative David Clay said.

The diplomats noted at the United Nations headquarters that it was impossible to change UNMIK’s mandate without the consent of the Security Council, which is further hard to expect considering the stand of Moscow and Beijing on this issue. The procedure of reducing this missions’ budget is equally complicated.

Vucic: Serbia receives support from Mogherini for accelerated EU path (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said after meeting with Federica Mogherini in Brussels on Wednesday the EU High Representative had expressed strong support for acceleration of Serbia’s EU path. “We agreed that stability and peace are the most significant for Serbia and for the EU,” Vucic told reporters. “I have no illusions…chapter 35 is present in many other chapters and it will not be closed until the moment of what we call normalization of Belgrade-Pristina relations, and here they say – Serbia and Kosovo. This is too difficult of a task for one head, for several people. The entire Serbian nation needs to take part in that and this is why we have the internal dialogue,” said Vucic.

B&H Presidency accepts Vucic’s invitation to visit Serbia (RTS)

At the session of the B&H Presidency, it has been decided to accept the earlier issued invitation of President Vucic for an official visit to Serbia on 6 and 7 December. The representatives of the B&H and Serbian foreign ministries had met on Tuesday in Belgrade and that they agreed that the bilateral cooperation between the two countries was good and intensive, but that it was necessary to resolve the matter of the inter-state border. At the meeting, it was underlined that the two countries had good political and economic relations, which have in the past years been moving in an upward trajectory.

US Embassy: Hard to understand no one sentenced to jail term for torching embassy (Beta) 

The US Embassy in Belgrade issued a statement, expressing surprise with the fact that none of the accused for the torching of the US Embassy in Belgrade in 2008 had been sentenced to serve time in jail, adding that the embassy supported the rule of law and sought justice in this case. “It is difficult to understand how it has taken nine years to reach a verdict in this case that involved nearly $500,000 in damaged property and one person killed, with the final result that none of the seven defendants, four of whom admitted in the presence of counsel to participating in a serious offense, was sentenced to serve time in jail,” it said in a statement issued after the Higher Court in Belgrade had delivered a verdict in this case.

Dragan Marinkov, Dejan Vuckovic and Marko Novitovic were given suspended six month prison sentences and a two-year probation period, while Milan Tomas was given a five-month suspended prison sentence and a two-year probation period. They were found guilty of being aware that they could cause general danger to human life by throwing stones and other items at the embassy building. Djordje Tomin, Nikola Kosanovic and Filip Backovic were acquitted.

REGIONAL PRESS

Ruling coalition in RS calls on Serb representative to leave institutions of B&H, reactions (BN TV/Oslobodjenje/Nezavisne)

The ruling coalition in Republika Srpska (RS) called on Serb representative on Tuesday to leave institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). Leader of SNSD Milorad Dodik, leader of DNS Marko Pavic and leader of SP Petar Djokic issued a joint statement after a meeting held in Banja Luka on Tuesday, which calls on Serb representatives to halt their work and to leave these institutions, due to threat with war to the RS.

SzP representatives said that call for the agreement is Dodik’s political fraud. SDS leader Vukota Govedarica said that as long as Serb representatives in the institutions of B&H, both in Parliament and the B&H Presidency, can block any decision that is damaging to the vital interest of the RS and the vital interest of Serbs as a constituent people, they do not understand calls to run from these institutions. “The situation is clear here. In accordance with the Dayton Peace Agreement, Serbs are constituent people in B&H, which mean that no decision can be reached without the Serb people and Serbs. This means that SzP, including SDS, will never support the proposal of Bakir Izetbegovic to recognize Kosovo’s independence,” Govedarica underlined.

Commenting the statement of the RS leaders, NDP MP Momcilo Novakovic stated it is a dishonest call. “If it were different, three men would not pass a decision and only called on others to follow through. Also, this issue is too serious, so it would have been better if RS President Milorad Dodik called on leaders of all Serb parliamentary parties to consult with him and try to take a joint stance,” said Novakovic.

The Alliance for Changes issued a statement saying that leaving of the state institutions represents “manifestation of biggest cowardice”, because if Serb member of the Presidency of B&H Mladen Ivanic would have left the Presidency, there would be no Serb to block adoption of decisions detrimental to the RS. “It is well-known that the Presidency of B&H can function without one member of the Presidency, and in this specific case there would be no one to block potential discussion on recognition of false state of Kosovo, which is something Mladen Ivanic would most certainly do if such decision was put on the daily agenda,” reads the statement.

The RS opposition parties called on the authorities in the RS to “finally free itself of demagogy and remove the mask of false patriotism, in order to attempt stopping further deterioration of the RS”.

Ivanic stated in an interview for Deutsche Welle that he would not support referendum on independence of the RS. Ivanic argued that, at the moment, there is no international force that would support it and that Serbia would not support it because of Kosovo. “There is only the third way you can do it, which is war. I do not want that and I will never go to war,” said Ivanic.

International organizations, embassies: Warmongering policy is unacceptable (FTV)

A statement published by the Office of the High Representative (OHR) on Tuesday reads that High Representative (HR) Valentin Inzko is deeply concerned over recent divisive statements by some high-ranking political and institutional leaders in B&H, “which remind the population of B&H of the tragic conflict during the 1990s and are not in line with long-term efforts to promote peace, stability and prosperity in B&H.” Inzko also reminds in the statement that “B&H is a single, sovereign state with two entities, which have no right to secede from B&H and only exist legally based on the Constitution of B&H.” He also stressed that all political parties must respect the institutions of B&H and ensure that they work and make decisions in undisturbed way.

The OSCE Mission to B&H stated that political leaders in B&H should refrain from inflammatory rhetoric of divisions and instead focus on improving living conditions of citizens.

The US Embassy emphasized that, given the recent turbulent past in B&H, calling for war is unacceptable. “Calls for secession are contrary to the Dayton Peace Agreement and they pose a serious threat to peace and stability. All this has to stop immediately,” said the Embassy’s Public Relations Office, answering to the question about their stance on statement by B&H Presidency member Bakir Izetbegovic regarding the RS and Kosovo and statement by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic regarding the independence of the RS. The Embassy underlined that stance of the US government on Kosovo is clear and they also emphasized that there is no parallel between the RS and Kosovo. “B&H was a sovereign and internationally recognized country even before the Dayton Peace Agreement. The USA and other members of the international community are entirely committed to sovereignty and territorial integrity of B&H. As guarantors of the Dayton Peace Agreement, officials of Serbia themselves also openly expressed commitment to territorial integrity of B&H,” the Embassy said, noting that the Constitution of B&H does not entitle any of the two entities with right to secede from B&H.

SNSD Caucus demands postponement of session of B&H HoR, scheduled for Wednesday, Collegium rejects request (TV1)

SNSD Caucus in B&H House of Representatives (HoR) called for postponement of a session scheduled for Wednesday, due to the entire situation created after the recent statements of Bosniak member of B&H Presidency Bakir Izetbegovic. However, the request for postponement was not accepted at a session of the Collegium of B&H HoR, held in Sarajevo on Tuesday. Deputy Speaker of B&H HoR Sefik Dzaferovic (SDA) assessed the demand as an attempt of destabilization and added that a blockade represents severe violation of the Dayton Peace Agreement. Dzaferovic stressed that Izetbegovic, or any other member of SDA, did not give a statement that may cause such actions and demands such as the one coming from SNSD Caucus. He underlined: “Therefore, this is totally unacceptable and we expect that the session will be continued. It is in the interest of everyone to see the Parliament working and fulfilling its obligations”.

Croats in Vojvodina worried about hate speech in Serbian media (T portal)

The Democratic Alliance of Croats in Vojvodina (DSHV) expressed on Tuesday concern over the hate speech which is extremely widespread in the Serbian media and which is primarily directed against Croats and Croatia, as well as towards Albanians from Kosovo. The “Liber” Centre for New Media has conducted a study, analyzing 16 printed, electronic, online and agency media outlets, and concluding that “extremist speech is present in one-fourth of all news published by the most popular media in Serbia,” and that its only intention is to “emphasize the drama and sensationalism at all costs, with accompanying spread of fear and feelings of insecurity and intolerance.” “The monitored media are dominated by the spread of feelings of intolerance towards Croatia and Croats, as well as Albanians from Kosovo. It is not uncommon for many Croats to be called “Ustashas,” according to the study published on Tuesday.

The DSHV has corroborated the conclusions of the study with data from the Commission for Monitoring Breaches of Minority Rights of the Croatian National Council, which in 2016 recorded 311 negative media articles about Croats and Croatia. Another major problem is that the issue of hate speech and intolerance in Serbian media is tackled by non-governmental organizations and activists, while relevant Serbian state and scientific institutions rarely get involved. It is concluded that such negative social phenomena “certainly should not have a place in a society which wants to be a member of a larger European family that is based on values ​​such as democracy, diversity, tolerance and solidarity.”

Indictment against Medojevic and his associates issued (CDM)

After six months of extensive investigations, the Special Prosecutor’s Office (SDT) issued an indictment against PzP leader Nebojsa Medojevic, a businessman from Banja Luka Momir Nikolic and their associates. They are charged with being leaders of a criminal group that was laundering money ahead of and during the election campaign. Investigators found that on several occasions Nikolic had received from abroad almost €1m on his bank account. Those suspicious money transfers were mostly from the former Soviet republics, now EU members. According to the information obtained by the investigators, in a single transaction, Nikolic received €175,000 from Lithuania. They suspect those were transfers of money through Russian companies based in Lithuania. Investigators believe that the money was intended for the payment of field activists engaged during the election campaign. The investigation showed the money intended for payment of PZP activists during the Election Day was kept in a safe of a Podgorica-based bank.

A hot spring for Macedonia, announces Hahn and Mogherini (Meta)

The Minister of Foreign Affairas, Nikola Dimitrov and Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs, Bujar Osmani, met in Brussels, with EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, where they discussed the need to intensify the reform process and translate it into concrete results. Encouraging messages for the European perspectives of Macedonia were sent from the meetings, according to the Macedonian MFA. Hahn and Mogherini reaffirmed their support for ongoing reform processes and building bridges for good neighborly relations as strong arguments for obtaining an unconditional recommendation, as a key precondition for the desired political decision to start negotiations with the Union by next spring. Crucial moments of importance for Macedonia in the coming period were highlighted:

February: The announcement of the strategy by European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker on EU Perspectives of the Western Balkans.

April: EC Progress Report

May: EU-Western Balkans summit in Sofia during the Bulgarian EU Council Presidency

“In the Strategy of EC President Juncker, there should be room for everyone. The turning point for the Republic of Macedonia is the best story of the region for 2017. Combined with the encouraging regional narrative and EU support, we can make a difference and a real step forward in 2018. However, the results of the reforms will be key on that road”, said Dimitrov.

Within his two-day visit, Dimitrov had several meetings, including Deputy Director General of the Directorate-General for Home Affairs Simon Mordue, with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal, Augusto Santos Silva, and British Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson.

Dimitrov-Kotzias: Open and constructive dialogue will contribute to mutual trust (Meta)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikola Dimitrov and his Greek colleague, Nikos Kotzias, at the margins of the ministerial meeting in Brussels had talks about the name dispute and the measures of building trust. “We talked about the further promotion of the measures of trust and the promotion of our cooperation. During the meeting, we spoke about the process of surpassing the only open issue i.e. the differences regarding the name. The ministers have exchanged opinions how to best use the upcoming period, in order to achieve progress in the process under the mediation of the UN, that is expected to be renewed at the soonest”, said the press release issued by the Macedonian MFA. Both ministers have promised to lead an open, constructive goodwill dialogue that will contribute to the growth of mutual trust. Before leaving for Brussels, Kotzias stated that he expects the name dispute to be solved during the first half of the coming year and Prime Minister Zoran Zaev also announced today that on the 20th and the 21st of November, both negotiating teams will meet together with the UN’s mediator Matthew Nimetz.

Zaev: I hope this will be the last effort for solving the name dispute (Meta)

Macedonia is entering in an effort that I hope it will be the last, where the final aim is solving the problem that Greece has with our constitutional name, said Prime Minister Zoran Zaev as an answer to a question posted by a journalist after his meeting with the Prime Minister of Slovenia, Miro Cerar. “This is really an actual issue for Macedonia. It was a logical step that as soon as the local elections were over, to make a new effort for solving this sensitive and crucial problem that the Republic of Greece has with our constitutional name, which is an obstacle for our integration efforts. The processes have already begun, and we expect that on the 20th and the 21st of November, the first meeting between the negotiators of both countries with mediator Matthew Nimetz to occur. In November we expect these negotiations to intensify” said Zaev.

He stressed that Macedonia is building friendly relations with Greece within a friendly ambiance and he also said that he believes that a solution for the dispute can be found. “We are trying to build a national consensus in Macedonia where everyone, the president of the state, the government, the opposition, but all towards finding a solution and not its postponement” said Zaev.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Kosovo: Time for action overtakes time for excuses, UN envoy tells Security Council (UN News Centre, 14 November 2017)

Noting recent momentum to advance democracy and good governance in Kosovo, the head of the United Nations Mission there urged for more emphasis on rebuilding trust and reconciliation, including through engagement with women and the youth, as well as on overcoming challenges related to freedom of cultural and religious identity. “With the end of the election cycle, the time for action now moves ahead of the time for excuse,” Zahir Tanin, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the head of the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), told the Security Council Tuesday. “It is important that the potential for embarking on a sustainable peace process not be hindered by inflexibility or simple inaction,” he added, calling all parties to play their part in the process. In his briefing, Mr. Tanin informed the Security Council that 40 new judges and 13 new state prosecutors from the Serb community were sworn into office in Kosovo, who would work as part of a unitary Kosovo justice system. He, however, noted that the implementation of agreements made in 2013 and earlier, continue, at best, to be sporadic and variable. “Within the framework of the European Union (EU)-facilitated dialogue, technical implementation needs more meaningful commitment from both sides,” said the UN envoy, noting that the most obvious gap is the lack of progress towards the implementation of the agreed Community/Association of Serb-majority municipalities. Regarding Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), the UNMIK said that Pristina representatives attend all CEFTA meetings, and that UNMIK’s participation is limited to the requirements of the legal statutes.

“This participation continues strictly to the extent required by CEFTA members to ensure its functionality, which in turn supports economic opportunity throughout the region,” he said, noting the importance of economic and employment opportunities as well as addressing corruption, ensuring public accountability at all levels and combatting organized criminality.

“The final objective of [UNMIK] remains clear, with your support: sustained peace, and the opportunities it brings for individuals to fulfil their aspirations and their potential,” concluded Mr. Tanin.

Serbia and NATO: From hostility to close cooperation (European Western Balkans, by Vuk Velebit, 15 November 2017)

At this year’s Belgrade Security Forum, we had the opportunity to hear an exchange of views on the current cooperation between Serbia and NATO between Deputy Secretary-General Rose Gottemoeller and Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić. On both sides, it was emphasized that relations and the cooperation between Serbia and the Alliance are taking place at a high level. In addition, it is asserted that there was an understanding on the side of NATO that Serbia currently does not have an aspiration for membership, thus emphasizing it was Serbian sovereign decision which NATO would not interfere with. Such cooperation represents a significant difference in comparison with relations that existed during the 1990s. Relations between Serbia and NATO, since the break-up of the SFRY up until the present day, could be described as turbulent, from utmost hostility to current closer cooperation and strengthening of relations without open political issues. In the wake of the conflicts in the territory of the former Yugoslavia, when the federal state began to dismantle, the adoption of a new strategic concept of NATO at the Rome summit in late 1991 took place. With the adoption of this document, the framework of the organization was significantly expanded and it was given a task to provide a stable security environment in Europe. In the context of the break-up of Yugoslavia, this was an announcement of what would later happen in terms of regulating regional security. Under Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, NATO had no authority to act outside the territory of its members, but the new strategic concept was an introduction to later decisions to act militarily outside the territory of the member states, even though they were not endangered. The history of relations between Serbia and NATO could be divided into the period of conflict in the territory of the former Yugoslavia, until the signing of the Military-technical agreement in the famous tent in the NATO military base near Kumanovo, and the period of the changes in Serbia initiated by the “5 October” events, followed by new foreign policy objectives of the country. These goals included European and Euro-Atlantic integration and the return of the country to the international scene after a period of isolation.

At the beginning of the Yugoslav crisis, NATO expressed its concern over possible spilling over of the conflict in the region, but mostly over human casualties and further escalation of the conflict. NATO, for the first time, acted outside the territory of the member states to support the valid UN resolutions pertinent to BiH, and after signing the Dayton Agreement, it took on itself the task of guaranteeing the implementation of Dayton, in particular, provisions pertaining to the military aspects of the treaty.

The second active involvement of NATO during the 1990s is related to the Kosovo crisis, when the first reaction of the UN Security Council condemned the excessive use of force by Serb forces over civilians, and at the same time condemned the KLA acts as terrorist. As the situation in Kosovo worsened, NATO was also closer to the intervention, so that by the end of 1998 the NATO Council approved the activation of an air strikes order. At the last moment, it was decided to support the diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis peacefully. This involved the withdrawal of Serb forces from Kosovo and Metohija. The turning point, however, were the events in the village of Račak and the failed negotiations in Rambouillet, after which NATO, although without the mandate of the UN Security Council, launched air strikes against the FRY.

With the conclusion of the Kumanovo Agreement between the International Security Forces KFOR (the NATO-led peacekeeping force) and Serbian armed forces and the adoption of Resolution 1244, an international military and security presence in Kosovo under the supervision of the UN was established, along with NATO’s leading role in preserving peace and security, and the military campaign against FRY was over. Following the fall of the regime of Slobodan Milošević, the country began to re-orientate towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration. In the atmosphere of a new climate in 2002, three specific foreign policy goals were set up: signing the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the European Union, membership in the Council of Europe and the accession to the NATO Partnership for Peace program (PfP). Partnership for Peace is NATO’s political-military program established in 1994, based on a commitment to democratic principles in order to increase stability and build ties between partner countries and NATO, as well as between the countries themselves. Membership in the PfP does not imply membership in NATO, although a large number of countries joined the Alliance following the signing of the PfP. The reform course and the strong desire to deepen cooperation with NATO, led to the official submission of the candidacy for the PfP membership in 2003. Ever since then, the heart of the partnership has been the support of Serbia’s institutional, democratic, and defense reforms. It is interesting to note that the support of the public opinion for NATO membership was much higher at the onset of the new millennium, after the bombardment and the October changes, than is the case today. The reason for this can be traced in the desire not only of the ruling political elite but also of citizens to re-acquire the membership in international organizations and institutions after isolation and wars and embark on EU and NATO integration process, which was ongoing in other countries of the region. However, the assassination of Zoran Đinđic and the arrival of the new government led by Koštunica slowed down the process of reforms. The government headed by Koštunica changed its ideological agenda, having approached the right-wing national pole, which gradually led to siding with Russia. Drifting apart with the West notwithstanding, at the same time Serbia joined the Partnership for Peace program and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, which is a political framework for NATO’s cooperation with partner countries. By doing so, Serbia has expressed its readiness to assume responsibility for maintaining a stable and lasting peace in the region, participate in peacekeeping operations with a mandate of the UN, and reach the interoperability of the armed forces with the forces of the NATO member states. By the end of 2006, NATO opened a Military Liaison Office in Belgrade in order to support defense sector reforms and facilitate Serbia’s participation in the Partnership for Peace activities, whereas, in the following year, Serbia joined the Partnership for Peace Planning and Review Process (PARP), which aimed to direct and measure progress in the transformation of the defense and military sectors. In 2007, the National Assembly passed the Resolution on the Protection of the Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity and the Constitutional Order of the Republic of Serbia, which, in its Article 6, emphasized the decision to proclaim the military neutrality of the Republic of Serbia in relation to the existing military alliances until eventual referendum in which a final decision on the matter would take place. On the other hand, the National Security Strategy of 2009 foresaw further improvement of relations with NATO. Cooperation continued with the decision of Serbia to open its Mission to NATO. What is less known is that since 2007, Serbia has been an active participant in the NATO program for Peace and Security (SPS), which enables cooperation on issues of common interest aimed at enhancing the security of NATO members and partners. “The NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme is designed to promote cooperation between NATO and partner countries, and all those in Serbia interested in the programme can contact our office. I would like to see more scientific institutions and universities, because this is an opportunity for them,” Cesare Marinelli, Head of the NATO Liaison Office in Belgrade, recently said to European Western Balkans. Leading people of the Alliance expressed support for the Euro-Atlantic integration of the countries of the Western Balkans and welcomed Serbia’s progress in establishing a strong partnership at the Wales Summit in 2014. But, unlike other countries of the Western Balkans, Serbia does not strive to join the Alliance but to deepen dialogue and cooperation on issues of common interest. In January 2015, Serbia and NATO signed the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP), which represents a commonly agreed framework within which the partner country exposes the goals of its reforms, and NATO can be supportive in achieving these goals. Its entry into force represents a major breakthrough in mutual relations and a framework for further strengthening of cooperation and improvement of political dialogue. The Head of NATO’s office in Belgrade, Cesare Marinelli, sees the IPAP in the same way, pointing out that “IPAP is a well-established framework for improving cooperation between Serbia and NATO”. Further development of Serbia-NATO relations follows the ratification of the Agreement on the Status of Forces (SOFA), based on which NATO in Serbia exercises freedom of movement and can use complete military infrastructure. In the same year, Serbia and NATO signed an Agreement for support and procurement of cooperation in the field of logistical support. According to this agreement, NATO members will have the same privileges and immunities like diplomats under the Vienna Convention. Training is an important part of cooperation with NATO, as it enables members of the Serbian forces to better qualify for effective action within UN and EU missions in which they actively participate. However, the reform of the defence and security sector is the backbone of this cooperation. The Serbia-NATO defence reform group was set up to provide Serbian authorities with advice on reform and modernisation of the armed forces in order to build a modern defence structure under democratic and civilian control. The Ministry of Defence of Serbia also participates in the NATO Integrity Building Program (BI) for the purpose of strengthening integrity, transparency, and accountability, as well as reducing the risk of corruption in the security sector. In November 2015, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited Serbia, pointing out to the importance of Serbia – NATO cooperation, but also expressing his regret for all the victims and the suffering of the civilian population during the NATO bombing. On that occasion, he reiterated that NATO respected the sovereign decision of Serbia on its military neutrality, stressing that it would never insist on membership of a state until it determined its readiness to join the Alliance by itself. The Head of NATO’s Liaison Office in Belgrade is optimistic about the further cooperation of Serbia and NATO, especially if we have in mind that since the “visit of Secretary General Stoltenberg in 2015, the Agreement on the Status of Forces (SOFA) has been signed, mutual activities and cooperation have increased, but there is still room for their improvement”. As early as 2016, Prime Minister Vučić visited NATO headquarters, which was the first official meeting of the Serbian Prime Minister and the North Atlantic Council, thus making a leap forward in strengthening relations and cooperation between Serbia and NATO. The latest visit by senior NATO officials, Deputy Secretary-General Rose Gottemoeller, occurred during the Belgrade Security Forum this year, where the importance of co-operation in maintaining peace and stability in the region was highlighted. “Every country has the right to choose according to its own will. And we have excellent cooperation with other military neutral countries as well. Hence we should look at how to expand the cooperation we have as partners, “said Deputy NATO Secretary General. However, what is not possible to see in the mainstream media is the scope of cooperation between Serbia and NATO. Commenting on NATO’s presence, Marinelli points out that “there is a problem in the media environment and the news that is just not accurate”. A number of donations stemming from NATO and the United States, as well as the number of joint military exercises, are by far higher in comparison to those of Russia, but for reasons of military neutrality or the desire of political elites, the cooperation with Russia is given incomparably more attention in the media. Thus, the procurement of Russian MIGs has been the main news in the Serbian media, without questioning the purposefulness of such procurement.

However, there will be the first military exercise with the NATO member states held in the territory of Serbia next year, which could represent a new step forward in cooperation with the Alliance. Commenting on relations between Serbia and NATO, Deputy Chief of the US Mission to Serbia, Kurt Donelli, told the European Western Balkans that he saw progress and an increase in people’s understanding of NATO and that people here were open and could think of positive ways in which Serbia and NATO can co-operate. He is optimistic about further cooperation, but “if we want to be responsible and talk about positive things, we can examine ways in which Serbia can look into the future.” “There are positive things that NATO can offer in cooperation with Serbia,” emphasizes Donelli.

Despite all the divisions we have been witnessing since 2000, it seems that cooperation with NATO has its continuity and that the alignment and standardization of Serbian armed forces with NATO forces has been brought to the maximum of cooperation possible without being a member of the Alliance. Of course, it remains on political elites to decide on whether this relationship will continue to be based exclusively on respecting military neutrality, or whether Serbia will redefine its position on the issue and, for the first time, adopt a foreign policy strategy in order to clearly define and codify its goals.