About: Serbia
Why is recent Serbia-Kosovo agreement no good news for Western Balkans?
The Serbian leadership signed an agreement in Washington in order to advance the achievement of the so-called “Serbian world", and that risks opening the Pandora's box in the whole region of the Western Balkans, writes Filip Milacic.
Belgrade-Pristina deal only way to counter ‘influences from the East’, Kosovo PM says
Unless Serbia and Kosovo normalise their relations, the Western Balkans will remain vulnerable to foreign influence coming from the East, Kosovo's Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti warned MEPs on the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee Thursday evening (10 September.
Serbia, Kosovo sign economic pact at White House
Former Balkan foes Kosovo and Serbia have agreed on a historic pact to normalise economic relations, US President Donald Trump announced at the White House on Friday (4 September), hailing the agreement as "historic".
Serbia, Kosovo leaders gear up for tough US talks
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić is travelling to Washington this week for talks between Belgrade and Priština in the hope of discussing the economy while Kosovo Premier Avdullah Hoti insists that mutual recognition is the only topic he can discuss with...
Montenegro votes with identity, economy at the fore
Montenegro's pro-West leader is fighting to extend his party's 30-year grip on the EU candidate country on Sunday (30 August) in polls dominated by identity debates and anxiety over a pandemic-hit economy.
Serbian purchase of missile defence system shows ties deepening with China
Serbia has bought a new generation of medium-range, radar-guided surface-to-air missiles from China in a new sign of deepening cooperation between Beijing and Belgrade.
Nothing gets done by sitting out
For years, Serbia lagged behind. We were a step away from bankruptcy, in April 2012, our unemployment rate was 25.5%, with youth unemployment at 51.5%. Our leaders spent money we did not have and watched our infrastructure decay and our population flee the country. Today, the reality is very different, writes Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić.
The dictatorship next door: Why Serbia’s regime threatens Europe’s credibility
Many European governments and institutions continue to tolerate the regime of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić despite its descent into autocracy, writes Vuk Jeremić.
Serbia-Kosovo talks ‘back on track’ after video meet
The EU said Sunday (12 June) that long-stalled talks between Serbia and Kosovo were "back on track" after a video meeting between the two leaders.
An unexpected pole position: The EU in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue
To almost everybody’s surprise, the EU just regained the pole position in the dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade. But is the bloc sufficiently prepared for the race, asks Andreas Wittkowsky. Andreas Wittkowsky is the head of Project Peace and Security...
EU expects breakthrough in Serbia- Kosovo talks after Vucic electoral win
EU-mediated negotiations aimed at normalising relations between Serbia and Kosovo will restart in July after being stalled for almost two years, EU envoy Miroslav Lajcak said on Monday (22 June).
Ruling conservatives claim victory in Serbian parliamentary vote
Serbia's ruling conservative party led by President Aleksandar Vučić is set for a landslide win in parliamentary elections held on Sunday (21 June), according to results projected by Ipsos and CeSID pollsters.
Serbia ready to sacrifice EU membership over Kosovo deal
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday (18 June) he would reject European Union membership if Belgrade does not receive concessions in return for recognising Kosovo and dropping attempts to stop it joining the United Nations.
Serbia’s ruling party certain to win first post-COVID elections
Serbia will hold parliamentary, provincial and local elections on Sunday (June 21), which the ruling Serbian Progressive Party is expected to win hands down, while the biggest opposition bloc plans to boycott the vote, saying it will not be fair and legitimate.
Open letter to Donald Tusk: EPP’s support for Vucic is a disgrace
European People's Party President Donald Tusk has publicly supported Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić ahead of the country's parliamentary election on Sunday (21 June), which the opposition is going to boycott. In response, Serbian opposition leader Dragan Djilas sent an open letter to Tusk. EURACTIV is publishing its shortened version.
Ahead of vote, virus emboldens Serbian president’s one-man show
An excuse to dominate the airwaves, sideline the opposition and cast himself as a saviour: President Aleksandar Vučić has emerged from the coronavirus crisis stronger than ever as he looks to extend his vice-like grip on Serbia's troubled democracy.
Kosovo removes trade barriers on Serbia to allow talks
Kosovo's newly elected government has removed all trade barriers for goods produced in Serbia, paving the way for a resumption of talks with Belgrade on an agreement that could enable the tiny Balkan country to get United Nations membership.
Hungary banks on Balkan Stream to triple capacity of gas supply to Slovakia
Hungary will triple the capacity of a natural gas pipeline border interconnector towards Slovakia by 2024, enabling the pipeline to carry more than 5 billion cubic metres of natural gas per year, the foreign minister said on Tuesday (2 June).
EU and Western Balkan leaders reaffirm ties in veiled response to China, Russia
EU leaders confirmed their "unequivocal support for the European perspective" to their Western Balkans counterparts during a video-summit on Wednesday (6 May). However, the final declaration doesn't make reference to a tangible time frame for the region's accession to the bloc.
Why Serbia’s President Vucic chose Richard Grenell over Angela Merkel
Although EU membership is Serbia’s official foreign policy goal, Russia and China – and perhaps the USA in the future – are providing something that is much more valuable for the Serbian leaders: a hope that the drawing of the national borders will be possible again, writes Filip Milacic
To Belgrade and beyond: Beijing exports China model of virus management
Last month, six Chinese medical professionals stepped off an Air Serbia jet in Belgrade to a red-carpet welcome from President Aleksandar Vučić and an array of cabinet ministers. After elbow-bump greetings, Vučić kissed Serbia’s flag, then China’s.
Serbia to bring in Russian experts to help fight coronavirus
Serbia will bring in Russian doctors and experts to help it fight the coronavirus outbreak and undertake a major disinfection effort, President Aleksandar Vučić said on Thursday (2 April).
Serbian journalist detained for coronavirus reporting
A Serbian journalist was detained by police on Wednesday (1 April) on charges of causing public unrest and damaging a hospital's reputation after she reported about a shortage of protective medical equipment available for staff at a medical centre in the northern Vojvodina province.