Politics

Serbian Foreign Ministry denies exporting rockets to Ukraine

In a rather unexpected twist Russia—seen as a long-time ally—accursed Serbia of having supplied missiles to Ukraine, a charge the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs fiercely denied. “No weapons have been exported from Serbia to any parties to the conflict,” said Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic on Friday Feb. 3, as cited by […]

Read More
Politics

Serb Prez Vucic, US envoy Escobar throw cold water on new agreement, pointing to “implementation” annex

Stop the presses, hold the phones. Maybe we have not reached an accord after all. Only days after the press trumpeted that both Serbia and Kosovo had backed an 11-point plan that would eventually see normalization of relations between the two states—and even that “further discussions” were not necessary—both Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and US […]

Read More
Politics

EU 610 mln rail grant likely a welcome carrot in the Kosovo-Serbia normalization game

In a not so surprising move, a EUR 610 mln grant was green-lighted in order that Serbia build a fast railway to interconnect the Balkans—with the deal inked not only together with the EU enlargement commissioner, Oliver Varhelvi, standing by, but also with the rubber stamping taking place on the same day as Serbia endorsed […]

Read More
Politics

Leaders of Kosovo, Serbia agree to back relations normalization agreement, further talks ahead

The leaders of Serbia and Kosovo agreed Monday, Feb. 27, to support an agreement to normalize relations between the two states, although both sides cautioned that there would be more negotiations to come. And while there was at least some cause for celebration, perhaps a more sober telling of the Monday discussions was a “tweet” […]

Read More
Politics

Serbia, Kosovo may endorse eventual normalization of relations deal today

A Serbian-Kosovo recognition deal may now be in sight, as multiple media reports have now stated that both Serbia and Kosovo may get behind an agreement today (Feb. 27) during Brussels-brokered talks to normalize relations that have had the region on edge for months. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has repeated teased the possibility of such […]

Read More
Business Politics

EU grants, financing may be the carrots to steer Serbia away from Russian, Chinese influence

With the future of Ukraine teetering in the balance—and worries over Belarus entering the war in Ukraine once again gaining steam—there also appear to be quiet efforts to offer more carrots to Serbia in order to encourage the current government to lean toward the EU and away from Russia. In short, while the push to […]

Read More
Politics

Protests mar Serbia Statehood Day, arrests follow–and Prez Vucic’s job only gets harder from here

With at least the beginning of a beginning to normalization in relations between Serbia and Kosovo under way—although this appears to be a matter of debate for even Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic—far right politicians and supporters made their displeasure known on Serbian Statehood Day, Wednesday, Feb. 15, with vehement protests that included threats, violence and […]

Read More
Economy Politics

EU agrees to EUR 165 mln to help vulnerable Serbian households and businesses

Maybe it’s a stick and carrot game, but Serbia did receive a significant carrot Wednesday, Feb. 15, with grants from the European Union (EU) in the form of an energy package valued at EUR 165 mln, which will primarily be geared toward households and small-medium businesses. “[…] I witnessed today [Serbia Minister of European Integration] […]

Read More
Politics

EU rep meeting with Serb Prez Vucic, “Community of Serb Municipalities” still a key in relations with Kosovo

Negotiations—including those at least semi behind-the-scenes—continue to take place in order to move forward on the Kosovo-Serbia question and what continues to be an understood impasse to eventual Serbian EU accession. On Tuesday, Feb. 6, EU Special Representative for Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue Miroslav Lajcak was scheduled to meet with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, although concrete details […]

Read More
Politics

Lots of stick, but few carrots in ongoing Serb-EU Kosovo negotiations

If local press is to be believed, Serbians are less and less enthralled with eventual EU accession, which appears to hinge on the recognition of Kosovo as an independent state. While various publications indicated that Serbs are willing to align with EU reforms, but that only 45 percent are also willing to join the EU, […]

Read More
X