The French president will discuss with Aleksandar Vucic the sale of military fighter jets or the country’s possible accession to the European Union.
After having declared in April that Serbia’s future is “in the European Union”the French president Emmanuel Macron It continues its approach to the Western Balkans so that they become part of the club.
The head of state will travel on an official visit to Serbia from this Thursday August 29th until the 30thas made public by the Elysée Palace.
What is at stake in this journey?
But not everything they address will refer to the possible joining of Serbia to the EU. One of the hottest topics will be the purchase of 12 French-made fightersworth 3,000 million euros, by that country.
Belgrade has increased its arms spending this year and “France has become the favorite destination of the Serbian rearmament effort“explains the doctor Sophie Gueudetresearcher specialized in the Western Balkans in the Sant’Anna High School of Italy.
“It is an attempt by Emmanuel Macron to solidify bilateral relations by trying to distance Serbia from his Russian dependence on defense and security systems“adds Dr. Gueudrt.
“Bringing Vucic closer to the EU sphere could be considered a smart diplomatic move by Macron“, says Gueudet in statements to ‘Euronews’.
But “Serbia has also cultivated good ties with Russia and China these last few years,” explains Florian BieberProfessor of History and Politics of Southeast Europe at the University of Graz.
The influence of China and Russia on Serbia
The Chinese leader Xi Jinping visited Belgrade in May. Beijing has invested billions in Serbia, especially in mining and manufacturing. As for Russia, Serbia remains its closest ally in the Balkans due to their strong energy cooperation, their opposition to Kosovo’s independence and their common Orthodox religion.
“Every time these partnerships with the EU occur, Belgrade manages to also balance its relationship with China and Russia. Serbia will never put all its eggs in one basket,” said Strahinja Subotić, senior researcher at the European Policy Center in Belgrade.
“As Serbia continues to depend on Russia for energy and Kosovothe Kremlin will always have influence,” Subotić told ‘Euronews’.
The thorny issue of Serbia’s accession to the EU
Another great topic of debate will be Serbia’s accession to the EUwhich depends largely on the normalization of relations with Kosovo. Belgrade does not recognize the sovereignty of Pristina, which declared its independence in 2008. In recent years Numerous attempts at appeasement and dialogue have failed..
“Due to the tense geopolitical context and the absence of a control system and balances on what Serbia is going to do with these increased defense capabilities, I am skeptical about whether it is a smart decision by France to sell weapons to Serbia“said Dr. Sophie Gueudet.
Macron sides with Serbia
Macron has appeared to side with Serbia in the conflict. At the beginning of August, France condemned “the multiplication of unilateral actions of the Kosovar authorities”, which “jeopardize normalization efforts”.
But analysts remain skeptical about Vucic’s political will to really advance integration into the EU.
