LOCAL PRESS

Vucic, Rogozin: To strengthen cooperation (RTS)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met in Moscow with Russian Vice President Dmitriy Rogozin with whom he discussed bilateral relations, the situation in the region and economic cooperation. Vucic pointed out that Serbia is firmly committed to further development of political relations with the Russian Federation based on strategic partnership and willingness of both sides to deepen them in all areas. Vucic voiced satisfaction over the achieved dynamics of meetings at the high and top level and thanked on the firm and consistent support of Russia to Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. He added that it is of great importance for Serbia to continue to regularly exchange information with Russia and to coordinate activities in international organizations regarding the issue of Kosovo and Metohija. Vucic pointed out that Russia is one of Serbia’s strategic and foreign trade partners. “We want to improve and strengthen the existing cooperation in energy, agriculture, telecommunications and other areas. Serbia is interested in stable delivery of energy products in order to ensure the country’s energy security,” said Vucic.

Vucic: Thanks to Churkin Serbs were not labeled as genocidal nation (Beta)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic presented the wife of Vitaliy Churkin, Irina, with the Order of the Serbian Flag, 1st Class, to posthumously decorate the former Russian ambassador to the United Nations. In a ceremony at the Serbian Embassy in Moscow, Vucic said among other things, that it was thanks to Churkin deserved credit that the Serbs had not been labelled as a genocidal nation. “Vitaliy Churkin left a major mark in Russian and world diplomacy. The Serbian people will remember Churkin as a person who struggled for justice in Kosovo and also in B&H,” Vucic said.

Dacic: Boosting political cooperation, economic relations with Russia (RTS)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic, who is in Moscow in the delegation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov today. They assessed that relations between the two countries are at a high level and that cooperation is developing in all directions. Dacic stressed that Serbia is firmly committed to further developing political relations with Russia on the basis of a strategic partnership and the willingness of both sides to deepen them in all areas. Ministers expressed satisfaction with the achieved dynamics of meetings at the high and highest level. Dacic expressed his gratitude for the firm and consistent support of Russia to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia, adding that it is of great importance for Serbia to continue to exchange information with Russia regularly and to coordinate activities in international organizations on the issue of Kosovo and Metohija. He pointed out that in the coming period Serbia will pay attention to strengthening economic cooperation with Russia in order to benefit from the advantages provided by the free trade Agreement. Dacic and Lavrov also discussed the celebration of the 180th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Serbia and the Russian Federation next year, when it is planned that Minister Lavrov visit Belgrade, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry.

Brnabic: Continuation of dialogue with Pristina essential (Beta)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said after a meeting of prime ministers of the Western Balkans held in Brussels last night and talks on the new Enlargement Strategy, that it is clear that Serbia and Montenegro have made the biggest progress in the process of EU accession. At the end of a working dinner organized by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini, Brnabic pointed out that Serbia has already proved itself as a stable, predictable and serious partner. Serbia and Montenegro are also the only countries that are currently negotiating. One of the main topics is that Albania and Macedonia start negotiations as soon as possible, we hope in the first half of 2018. This is in the interests of the entire Western Balkans, Brnabic pointed out. She stated that Serbia fully supports Albania and Macedonia, and that the progress of these countries on the path of European integration is important for further stability and integration of the Western Balkans. According to Brnabic, what is clear is that everyone is progressing at their own pace. This pace will not be harmonized as the level of the Western Balkans. It is important to open negotiations and to give a positive signal. Then everyone goes as fast as they can towards the EU, in line with the speed of the reforms that are being implemented. When asked about the agreement on normalization of relations with Pristina, which is set before Serbia as a condition for joining the EU by 2025, Brnabic reiterated that Serbia has already proved itself as a stable, predictable and serious partner. As she pointed out, Serbia signed the Brussels agreement and has implemented most of the items from that agreement. These are very difficult and unpopular things, which required great political courage and responsibility. On the other hand, Pristina has not yet begun to comply with the Brussels agreement. We are still insisting on the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities as the main pillar of the Brussels agreement, Brnabic pointed out. She said that Serbia has done everything in its power to show seriousness and political responsibility and voiced her hope that Pristina will get a connection with that. Mogherini organized a working dinner in the format of the “West Balkan Six” at the highest level in order to strengthen cooperation and exchange views on the most current topics in the region.
The format of the “West Balkan Six” is part of the “Berlin Process”.

Selakovic: Insisting on property, continuing development of economic relations (Tanjug)

The General Secretary of the Serbian President Nikola Selakovic has stated that economic experts within the internal dialogue on Kosovo had agreed that we need to insist on the issue of seized and usurped property of Serbia in Kosovo and Metohija, and that we need to continue development of economic relations. Selakovic says that economic relations, their development and Belgrade’s better position create greater credibility, respect of Serbia in wider frameworks.

He assesses that the presentation of economists was extremely useful and important and that the manner of presentation was precise, so it implied an analysis of the market, population, but also everything that is not just numbers in order to reach an estimate regarding economic development.

When Putin schedules a press conference, it means he has something to say (RTS)

Editor-in-chief of the RTS foreign policy department Bojan Brkic explains that the presidential administration in the Kremlin determines with whom Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold a press conference, which depends on how much it has content, full of important topics. He says that holding a press conference is a protocol issue in the Kremlin, because Putin will not take photos with somebody who is not a head of state. “In order to avoid taking photos with everybody, he takes them only with heads of states, and even not with all heads of states. He will not attend a press conference with some president with whom nothing important had been agreed,” he notes.

Brkic explains that ties between Serbia and Russia are stable and important, but adds that something needs to be improved constantly. “Putin has announced that as of 2019 gas will not be delivered via Ukraine any longer, and we receive gas through this country, so it is good that we are thinking about this in advance. That gas should pass through the route agreed by Russia, most probably via Turkey,” explains Brkic.

Speaking about the suspension of the free trade agreement with Russia before joining the EU, Brkic explains when Serbia becomes part of the EU market, then agreements of the EU will be only valid for it. “When joining we need to abolish the free trade agreement with Russia, but if there are no EU sanctions towards Russia, then this will not be so terrible, and the EU has a free trade agreement that is perhaps even better in some part than ours. If the sanctions remain, then we need to introduce them. But we will resolve this issue only in several years,” says Brkic.

In that sense, Brkic concludes that some other, new politicians are emerging in Europe, who have a different direction of thinking about Europe’s development.

REGIONAL PRESS

US Embassy to B&H and OHR dismiss third entity as realistic option (TV1)

Chairman of the B&H Presidency Dragan Covic stated on Sunday that the third entity is a realistic option for B&H, explaining that the Croat people could be pushed into the position of an ethnic minority so he wants to protect them. “Maybe we should have been much stronger and more aggressive. Maybe we should have set an ultimatum – the third entity or nothing – so that we solve the problem 20 years ago,” Covic said. The US Embassy to B&H stated for that the USA has not changed its views on this issue. “The USA is committed to the principles of the Dayton Peace Accords – B&H as a democratic, multiethnic, sovereign and independent state with two entities, three constituent peoples and unquestionable territorial integrity. We decisively reject any kind of further geographic division of B&H, including a possibility of establishment of the third entity, and we strongly disapprove reorganization based on ethnic principles”, reads a statement made by the press office of the US Embassy to B&H. Representatives of the Office of the High Representative (OHR) reminded of the stance of the High Representative and the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board (PIC SB), according to which all reforms should result in more functional and cost-effective institutions in B&H, which would be able to respond to the needs of citizens in a better way. “They also expressed their commitment to territorial integrity of a sovereign state that is composed of two entities. Changes in the constitutional structure of B&H would require a comprehensive process of reaching consensus and agreement in the overall political spectrum. Solutions should be found in mutual understanding, dialogue and reconciliation, in order to avoid further divisions in the society”, reads the statement issued by the OHR.

B&H politicians, political analysts comment on Covic’s statement on third entity (N1)

B&H Presidency Chair and HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic stated that a third entity in B&H is a realistic possibility, which triggered reactions. Reacting to the statement, state MP Nermina Kapetanovic (SDA) wondered what mechanisms Covic plans to use, because creation of the third entity considers changes to the Dayton Peace Agreement and B&H Constitution and added that it is not possible without consensus.

SBB B&H leader Fahrudin Radoncic said that he and his party are against any third or fourth entity, on any grounds. According to Radoncic, it is necessary to relax the position of Croats in B&H, to prevent marginalization, which is possible with a lot of other political mechanisms.

Republika Srpska (RS) President and SNSD leader Milorad Dodik stated that his party supports the proposal of the Election Law, because it ensures that constituent peoples elect their political representatives and added that Serb are interested for such practice in the Federation of B&H.

Representatives (HoR) of B&H parliament Semsudin Mehmedovic (SDA) told the daily that not a single Bosniak party will give a support to changes to the Constitution that would allow territorial reorganization of B&H. “I do not know how Covic thinks establishment of the third entity might be possible. Maybe he can count on support of his friend Milorad Dodik but he will certainly not have a partner among Bosniaks for such idea. Any attempt of unconstitutional proclamation of some kind of a Croat entity would result in serious consequences and crisis which I hope nobody reasonable in the country should wish for,” Mehmedovic added. Mehmedovic also said that Croats solved their national issue in the Balkans by establishing the Republic of Croatia.

HSS leader and member of the Presidency of the Croat People’s Assembly (HNS) Mario Karamatic told the daily that establishment of the third entity is more realistic than ever before and he said that Croat political leaders will certainly not ask Sarajevo to give its permission for securing of equal rights for Croats. “The international community is gradually changing its opinion on Bosniaks as only victims of the war. Their political leaders must realize that the situation worldwide is not the same as it was 20 years ago. Thanks to arrogance of Bosniak politicians, creation of the third entity is becoming more and more realistic by each day.”

Dodik meets Hearne (TV1)

RS President Milorad Dodik met with Principal Deputy High Representative Dennis Hearne in Banja Luka on Monday. After the meeting, Dodik said that the time of “strong interventionism” of the international community in the form of the Office of the High Representative (OHR), in which solutions are imposed outside the frameworks of the Constitution of B&H and powers of the High Representative, certainly belongs to the past. Dodik explained that “international interventionism” could only harm B&H, stressing that he would always rather support an agreement among legally elected politicians in B&H. He added that the RS is strongly committed to the EU integration process, so it is putting a lot of effort into acceleration of its path towards the EU.

Zvizdic attends meeting of PMs from region with Mogherini (BNTV)

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini met with Prime Ministers of the Western Balkan region in Brussels on Monday evening. Mogherini was expected to inform leaders from the Western Balkans about progress that the European Commission (EC) made in preparing the enlargement strategy. According to unofficial information, the EC envisages in the strategy that B&H could obtain the EU candidate status by the end of 2019. Mogherini and Chairman of B&H Council of Ministers (CoM) Denis Zvizdic agreed at the meeting that B&H should continue a positive momentum to move closer to the EU. Mogherini congratulated B&H on adoption of the set of laws on excise duties, emphasizing that this is an important step in economic development. Zvizdic said that B&H is expecting publication of the announced strategic document on enlargement with great attention. He stressed belief that the strategy will reflect clear support to the EU’s enlargement perspective in the Western Balkans. Mogherini and Zvizdic also exchanged opinions about the political situation in B&H. Zvizdic stressed that dialogue with the EU is of extreme importance for B&H. He informed Mogherini about implementation of the Reform Agenda and the process of preparation of B&H’s answers to the EC’s Questionnaire.

According to the spokesperson for the European Commission (EC) Maja Kocijancic, goal of these talks is further and faster progress of the countries in the region on the path towards membership in the EU.

Plenkovic: Croatia and Slovenia have to find middle ground over border dispute (Hina)

Croatia and Slovenia are in a position in which they have to find a middle ground that will resolve the border issue, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Monday ahead of a visit to Zagreb by his Slovenian counterpart Miro Cerar. Plenkovic added that the ruling handed down this summer by the arbitration tribunal in the Croatian-Slovenian border dispute in fact defined the land border in line with what the Croatian legal team advocated all the time. Plenkovic and Cerar met on Friday in Brussels and agreed that Cerar would visit Zagreb on Tuesday to discuss a solution for the border row. “We are now in a position in which we have to find some middle ground that will resolve the border issue. If you look at the actual arbitration decision – I’m not saying that I accept it nor that it has any legal meaning for us, however, when it comes to the land border demarcation, in many aspects it follows the basic principle that the Croatian legal team advocated the entire time and that is the cadaster limits,” Plenkovic said at the first convention of the Europa Press Club. “It is good that Prime Minister Cerar is coming to Zagreb. That shows maturity, good neighborly and friendly relations between the two countries,” Plenkovic told reporters. He underscored that Croatia’s stance is that at the moment the two countries require permanent talk, dialogue, cooperation without tension, without any unilateral moves and without incidents. “We need to come closer to a common denominator that we can agree on,” he said. Plenkovic considers that all questions concerning the border, not just with Slovenia but Serbia, Montenegro and B&H are more dramatized in public discourse than in real life because, for example, after the arbitration with Slovenia, there is not one house that wishes to remain on the other side of the border. As far as the sea border in the Piran Bay is concerned, there are several aspects, Plenkovic said and underscored that Slovenia did not get what it wanted and that is the so-called “junction” and access to the high seas. Asked whether access to the Schengen Area depended on the resolution of the Piran bay, and whether Slovenia could block Croatia’s access to the Schengen Area until Croatia satisfies Slovenia’s demands regarding the border, Plenkovic said that the path to the Schengen Area is determined by meeting the set criteria. “A blockade for any reason that is not related to the matter is unacceptable,” Plenkovic underscored and added that in the end what is important is to find a long-term solution to the border issue with a final result that has to be the outcome of agreement of the two countries.

Vukovar deputy mayor urges authorities to enable Serbs to exercise right to mother tongue and script (Hina)

Vukovar Deputy Mayor Srdjan Milakovic, who was elected to this post allocated to the local Serb community, on Monday called on Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and the Public Administration Ministry to enable local Serbs to exercise their right to the use of their mother tongue and the Cyrillic script.

Ivan Vrdoljak returns as HNS President (T portal)

Ivan Vrdoljak was again elected as president of the Croatian People’s Party-Liberal Democrats (HNS), six months after resigning his post due to the party’s initial decision to refuse to enter into a coalition with HDZ. He was the only candidate and received votes from 653 delegates, while 25 votes were invalid. Deputy Prime Minister and, until now, acting party president Predrag Stromar was elected as deputy president, while Marija Puh and Ivan Gulam are vice presidents.

EU to send encouraging message to Western Balkans (CDM)

The EU enlargement policy and the Western Balkans is one of the key policies of the Union. Given the fact that all the countries in this region have chosen a European and a pro-Western course, the European Union should send a clear encouraging message to the region on its European perspective. This was concluded at the meeting of the Prime Minister Dusko Markovic and the delegation of the European Parliament for relations with Montenegro led by the head of the delegation and co-chair to the EU-Montenegro Stabilization and Association Parliamentary Committee (SAPC) David Martin. Prime Minister said that the leaders of the region were expected to make responsible decisions and overcome the challenges. The head of the delegation David Martin expressed his full agreement with the view on the importance of continuing the enlargement of the EU and encouraging the countries of this region to implement reforms in the context of European integration. Martin pointed out that the European Parliament shared the view that the Western Balkans must be one of the priorities of the Union, with each state having to be evaluated separately. Speaking about Montenegro, Martin said that Montenegro was the next member of the Union. Martin said he was pleased that the opposition had returned to parliament, adding that Montenegro had a vibrant democratic system that worked well. “We are concerned, however, because of the environmental chapter, since the necessary progress has not been made. Although we have expressed some criticism, I would like Montenegro to replace Britain in the EU or to be partners within the EU,” he added.

According to the Parliament speaker Ivan Brajovic, readiness for the Montenegrin legislation to be further supplemented was shown. “This is where the story of a boycott ends, because DF returned to Parliament,” he concluded.

Western Balkan leaders view 2018 as vital for their countries’ giant step towards EU (MIA)

The Western Balkan leaders view 2018 as a vital year for their countries to make a giant step towards the EU accession, as well as for boosting the regional cooperation under full support of EU instruments. This was said late Monday at a meeting of Western Balkan leaders with of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, Macedonia’s Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said. “The top news in 2017 for the Western Balkans was the European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker’s announcement of a new EU Enlargement Strategy. This Strategy and its guidelines was the main subject of discussion. The conclusion of the meetings was that all Western Balkan countries should view this Strategy as a clear signal for their European perspective. Each Western Balkan country should advance on the basis of own reform progress in key areas,” Zaev said.

The EU Enlargement Strategy, due to be released in February, provides the guidelines for the accession of Serbia and Montenegro by 2025 and the future steps on the EU path for Albania, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo.

Zaev along with Western Balkans counterparts took part late Monday in Brussels at an informal meeting with Mogherini. At the third meeting of this kind this year, the High Representative and the Prime Ministers also discussed the current developments in the Western Balkans and the outlook for 2018, a year that will offer the partners in the region a unique opportunity to advance on the European Union integration path.

Zaev meets Siyarto (MIA)

Hungary supports Macedonia’s accession to the EU and NATO, which is important for the countries and the region’s security and development, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Siyarto told Prime Minister Zoran Zaev on Monday. Zaev on his part voiced his expectation for 2018 to be significant year for Macedonia in regard to opening of its EU accession talks and obtaining an invitation for NATO membership. “The Euro-Atlantic integration means security and economic prospect for the citizens of Macedonia. Hence I am welcoming Hungary’s support on the behalf of the government and the citizens,” Zaev said. The meeting also tackled the possibilities for bolstering the bilateral economic cooperation via investments in the energy, environment, banking sectors, the government said in a press release. Siyarto notified that the political contacts between the two countries were contributing to raising the interest of Hungarian companies to invest in Macedonia. The Hungarian government, he said, has been monitoring the progress in implementing of Macedonia’s reform plan 3-6-9, which also affects the development of the economic cooperation, as well as the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration processes. The officials also referred to the significance of bilateral cooperation in dealing with challenges of the migrant crisis.

Gruevski has complained to Siyarto that in Macedonia human rights and freedoms are violated (Meta)

The outgoing president of VMRO-DPMNE, Nikola Gruevski has met with the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Peter Siyarto with whom he spoke about the current situation on social and political levels, informs VMRO-DPMNE. Gruevski has told Siyarto that in Macedonia the basic rights and freedoms are violated and that VMRO-DPMNE and most of its members, including renowned public figures that do not agree with the current government are targets to heavy political pressures and prosecutions. “Innocent people are being detained only because they think freely and love and respect their own country and that presents a rare example of a “captured state” where instead of rule of law and the legal state the decisions are made under political pressure,” said Gruevski. He has explained to Siyarto that the judiciary is blackmailed and that SPO and the BPP function as political instruments that are completely avoiding legal normative.

There will be news on the name dispute after the holidays, says Dimitrov (Meta)

The negotiations on the name dispute will continue after the New Year and Christmas holidays, and in the meantime no developments are expected, said Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikola Dimitrov. “The next meeting has been arranged after the holidays in January, so there should be no special event during the holidays. The stage is set, the process has started, the dynamic has been established, but there is nothing new which will happen during the holidays,” said Dimitrov.

DP-SMI announces massive protests after New Year’s Eve (ADN)

Democratic Party and the Socialist Movement for Integration will continue their protests against the election of the provisional chief prosecutor after New Year’s Eve. The decision was taken on Monday during the meeting that the allies have after the election by majority of Arta Marku as the new chief prosecutor. “New massive protests will start on the first days of January 2018 in order to stop the craziness of the Prime Minister Edi Rama. He elected a new chief prosecutor risking the country’s stability, democracy and the integration. We will start the organization right now,” declared Basha.

Rama: Opposition’s protest shameful (ADN)

Prime Minister Edi Rama declared on Monday that the election of the provisional chief prosecutor Arta Markuwas done in conformity with the laws in vigor. Thus, in a press conference he considered the opposition’s protest shameful. “I did everything with my possibility to open the dialogue with opposition in relation to this issue but even the appeal by USA and EU to find a compromise solution failed to bring the opposition in the dialogue’s roundtable,” said Rama. He added that judicial reform is an unstoppable process that can’t be obstructed through shouts and gas canisters by the opposition. “This shameful show was orchestrated by the opposition while the country will suffer the consequences. Albanians do not deserve the mud and despair of an opposition guided by the fear from judicial reform. I want to ask for forgiveness by the Albanian citizens and international partners for the latest despaired attempt by the opposition to block judicial reform,” said Rama.

US Embassy condemns violence during opposition’s protests (ADN)

The United States Embassy strongly condemns on Monday the violence that took place during opposition’s protests in Tirana. In a press statement, the embassy declared that it supports the right of citizens to peacefully protest, but considered the damaging of public property, releasing of smoke grenades in Parliament and violence not acceptable. “We call on all parties to show restraint and encourage calm. The people of Albania should not be surprised that their politicians are fighting amongst themselves. This means the judicial reform is finally being implemented. The Vetting Commissions will soon have their first results. The Prosecutor General who refused to prosecute politicians is gone. We will soon see the creation of the SPAK and BKH to investigate and prosecute high-level corrupt officials. The people of Albania are impatient for justice. And the politicians are afraid.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Serbia balances between Russia and the West (DW, 19 December 2017)

As Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic meets with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, his country is keeping both Russia and the West at bay. But will the country eventually have to choose one path?

“Good news” is what Aleksandar Vucic has said he expects from his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday. The Kremlin’s announcement about the meeting keeps the issues on the agenda vague. “The leaders will discuss issues concerning the development of the Russian-Serbian strategic partnership” in its political, economic, cultural and humanitarian facets. But this visit also shows that Serbia is resisting pressure to choose sides as tensions between Russia and the West heat up. During a visit to Belgrade in October, US diplomat Brian Yee warned Serbia that “you cannot sit on two chairs at the same time, especially if they are so far apart.” It was seen as a swipe at the country’s policy of pursuing EU membership while continuing to cozy up to Moscow. According to Dimitar Bechev, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and the author of the book “Rival Power: Russia in Southeast Europe,” Vucic is not the first Serbian leader to look both east and west. “That’s been the policy by pretty much every government in Serbia.”

Oil, gas and weapons

After all, there is more at stake for Serbia in relations with Moscow than just keeping up appearances with a fellow Slavic and Orthodox Christian country. True, the European Union is Serbia’s largest trade partner and has invested seven times more in the country than Russia has since 2010. But Serbia is heavily dependent on Russia for its oil and gas. And the country has been discussing involvement in the planned Turkish Stream pipeline project, which is supposed to run from Russia across the Black Sea. The head of Russian oil and gas giant Gazprom, Aleksei Miller, was in Belgrade at the end of November to discuss the project with Aleksandar Vucic. Military equipment and weapons are also on the table in Russian-Serbian relations. The Serbian government is currently in talks about buying Russian-made S-300 anti-aircraft systems and military helicopters. Serbia recently bought six Russian fighter jets, which were delivered in October. And that is despite the fact that the country maintains military neutrality, as Aleksandar Vucic again emphasized ahead of meetings with Vladimir Putin. “Serbia is an independent country, a military neutral country, so we must be strong militarily to be able to defend our land. I hope to discuss this and many other topics with Vladimir Putin.”

Mixed feelings about NATO

So far, even when it comes to the military, Serbia has managed to have it both ways, looking both east and west. Despite the country’s interest in military equipment from Russia, in 2017, Serbia took part in 13 military drills with NATO or its members and seven with the US, according to Reuters. It carried out two drills with Russia. The balancing act seems particularly important when it comes to NATO. After all, as Dimitar Bechev points out, many Serbians haven’t forgotten that NATO bombed what was then Yugoslavia in 1999. “Many Serbians feel victimized by what happened in the 90s […] And Russia is seen as a power that can right these wrongs,” and as “an ally on many security issues.”  But Bechev is keen to stress that ultimately “Serbian society is much more Western oriented. Russian soft power hasn’t gone as far as it has in parts of the former Soviet Union.” When it comes to the Serbia’s mixed feelings towards NATO, Elena Guskova, from the Institute for Balkan Studies at the Russian Academy of Science in Moscow, goes further. She argues that cooperating with the Russian military is “a guarantee of safety” for many Serbs, with many feeling “bewildered” by their government’s cooperation with NATO. “They bombed them not long ago and now they are offering to work together,” is how she sums it up. The government’s solution, according to Guskova, is to work with all sides, including Russia.

A crisis center could cause crisis

There is one issue that could upset the balance in Serbia’s strategy, one mentioned by both Guskova and Bechev. It is the Russian-Serbian Humanitarian Center in Nis. Nis is a city not far from Serbia’s borders with Kosovo, which houses NATO peacekeeping troops and a US military base, and with Bulgaria, a NATO and EU member. The center was established in 2012 to help handle natural disasters in the region. It has become a bone of contention between Russia and the West. Russia has been putting increasing pressure on Serbia to grant diplomatic status to the Russian staff of the center, insisting it is only for humanitarian missions. US officials, on the other hand, believe the center could become a base for the Kremlin to spy on the West from the Balkans. Serbia meanwhile has been dragging its feet over resolving the legal status of the center. Bechev thinks that the Nis center could ruin Serbia’s balancing act, since it could be a reason for Russia to “muddy the waters.” “If Russia is more obstructionist and throws its weight around, there will be pushback from the West. And then it [could] become very difficult for Serbia to maintain its traditional position of balancing East and West.”

A savvy strategy

But if Russia continues to give Vucic room to maneuver, then Serbia’s strategy of ‘sitting on two chairs’ could continue to work for the country, Bechev argues. “If it’s viable now when things are very polarized it probably will be viable in due time when relations between the West and Russia improve.” Guskova, on the other hand, believes it will be the West, not Russia’s actions, that forces Serbia to choose sides. “This year [Serbia] has already gotten a clear signal from Western politicians that it needs to decide.” But Bechev thinks placing itself at the center of a geopolitical tug of war is actually a savvy strategy for Serbia. “As long as Serbia is seen as a battleground between NATO — or the West — and Russia, Western governments will be much more lenient towards Vucic. They won’t be asking tough questions,” Bechev explains. He thinks Serbia will try to keep its position between Russia and the West for as long as possible. “They’d rather not make this choice. They want to have their cake and eat it, too.”

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