Does Vucic’s visit to Moscow change Serbian strategic orientation?

Going to Moscow, on the occasion of eight decades of victory over fascism in World War II, and meetings with the presidents of two powerful world countries, Vladimir Putin and Si Jinping, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic neither threw all the « all -cards » on Russia and China nor a foreign policy. And the four pillars of Serbia’s foreign policy are – the US, the EU, Russia and China!

Analysis

International relations experts summarize the visit of the head of the Serbian state to Moscow on Victory Day, leading to new threats from Brussels for possible penalties for Belgrade, namely that the move will cost Serbia.
According to media reports, the president of Russia, after the end of the big parade of victory on May 9, thanked foreign leaders for coming to Moscow and noted that, despite threats, blackmail and obstacles, state leaders were « true leaders in their character, »

Zoran Milivojevic, diplomat: Serbia is on the European path, but does not give up its traditional friends

In an analysis by the Serbian daily Novosti, diplomat Zoran Milivojevic is convinced that there are no arguments that would support claims that Vucic, by going to Moscow and the meeting with Putin and Si, made a turn in Serbia’s foreign policy, nor is he expecting serious consequences. Speaking to Russian President, Vucic also stressed that Serbia is on the European path, but that he does not give up his traditional friends, and Milivojevic told Novosti that Serbia’s EU integration into the EU has long been stalled and sees nothing new that could punish them.
– The threats come from the hard line in the EU, which includes the Baltic states and the northern members, some European political parties on the left, the Social Democrats and the Liberals, which is due to Serbian ties with Russia. Let’s say, we had no objections to either Washington or Macron, so there is a difference in that western part, not everyone thinks the same. Replacement Serbia is removed from the negotiation process, there is no consent of the EU, there is no consensus between member states, and France and Italy would not be about it, besides Hungary and Slovakia. I do not expect any consequences for Vucic personally, I do not believe it will be left out of important meetings in Tirana this week or that European Council President Antonio Costa will cancel the planned visit to Belgrade, as some in the EU have asked.
Milivojevic points out that Vucic’s departure to Moscow is entirely in line with Serbian state and national interests, as well as principles, when it comes to attitude towards World War II, history, whose audit is opposed. He points out that talks with two of the three most powerful people on the planet, Putin and Si, are particularly important.
– They show that there is an important international position for Serbia. We have received guarantees on issues of particular importance to us, support for our sovereignty and territorial integrity, Kosovo and Metohija, in connection with our principles of military neutrality and political independence, and support for the authorities and internal stability of Serbia. There is also the question of the economy, which was an important topic of Vucic and Putin’s talks and SI, especially about gas and energy, which is important for both economic and political stability, as well as for our country’s continued development – he said.
Milivojevic « reads » the messages presented by the Chinese president as an obvious sign that Beijing sees Serbia as a key partner in the area.
« Messages to further strengthen bilateral relations, mutual coordination, support globally, for China as an address to which we can address at any time present the results of capital importance, » Milivojevic said.
He states that Vucic « did not throw any cards at Russia and China, nor more or less than before going to Moscow ».
– It’s a nonsense thesis. There are no changes in Serbia’s foreign policy. Traveling to Russia is just a deepening of relations in spheres in which there is mutual interest, Vucic went from the position that we have a strategic partnership with two major countries. At the same time, we did not question the strategic partnership we have with France, nor relations with Germany, Italy, the EU… The threats of going to Moscow are only about the political requirement for Serbia to change its stance on sanctions against Russia, for which we have absolutely no interest. Even if Vucic did not go to Moscow, they would have asked us to impose sanctions against Russia – he said.

Dr. Sanja Arenzen, International Relations Expert: Serbia’s Foreign Policy relies on four pillars-the United States, the EU, Russia and China

Dr. Sanja Arenzen, an expert on international relations and author of the book China in Europe, tells Novosti that neither Vucic nor Serbia give up their foreign policy, which relies on four pillars-the United States, the EU, Russia and China.
– Meetings in Moscow have been good, it has been stressed that Serbia is striving to maintain good relations with Russia and China. We are the only European country to join sanctions against Moscow, and in this context of resetting relations between Russia and the United States, Serbia can serve as a bridge to build relations between the East and the West. The Chinese president has responded to some requests from the Serbian side regarding further investment in the areas of Pcinja and Jablanica, at the Simpo factory, and especially in connection with the construction of a train factory in our country, which is important to us because such production does not exist in Europe today – she said. RS

The principle of one China

When it comes to criticism of the opposition because Vucic reiterated that Serbia respects the principle of one China, Arthens says that apparently someone in those political circles « had misplaced something ».
– China has been based on its foreign policy on this principle since 1972 and the Shanghai communiqué, when relations with the United States were established, which includes Beijing’s need to protect its territorial integrity and sovereignty and implies that Taiwan is an integral part of China. Overall, without recognizing this principle, relations with China would not be possible – Arenina said.

Popovic: Gas at a reasonable price

Serbian Government Minister in charge of international economic cooperation and social position of the church in the country and abroad, Nenad Popovic, who was in the Serbian delegation at the celebration of Moscow Victory Day, said Vucic’s departure to the parade was not only a respect for the past, but also.
« During the meeting with President Putin, which was held in a friendly and fraternal atmosphere, the most favorable price of gas for Serbia was agreed, allowing us to develop even more economically and to attract new foreign investment, » Popovic said.