Both neighbouring states and leading western countries like the U.S. or Germany will continue to insist that the new government of Serbia clearly determines its geopolitical stance. This also implies, first and foremost, a clear declaration on sanctions against Russia, but also an unambiguous expression of its European integration aspirations
Given that the war in Ukraine has caused a fundamental shift on the geopolitical scene in Europe and around the world, and somehow created a new Cold War-like division in Europe, Serbia is also expected to clearly determine and declare the foreign policy course it wants to pursue. In that sense, a certain degree of tolerance was evident – primarily due to pre-election activities – when it comes to the question of Serbia making a clear foreign policy commitment regarding restrictive measures imposed on the Russian Federation, but also regarding the Ukraine crisis generally.
Considering our real-world position surrounded by EU and NATO member states, it is to be expected that not only neighbouring states, but also leading Western countries like the U.S. or Germany, will continue striving to influence the new Government of Serbia to clearly determine its geopolitical stance. This also implies, first and foremost, a clear declaration on sanctions against Russia, but also an unambiguous expression of its European integration aspirations. Considering the degree of hesitation on this issue that’s been evident to date, I don’t think it will be viewed with benevolence following the formation of the new government. Thus, those who constitute the executive will be expected not only to be pro-European declaratively, but also to demonstrate their pro-European credentials clearly. Of course, when it comes to the domain of foreign policy, the new government will also be expected to consolidate relations with our neighbours in the Western Balkans and Southeast Europe.
I believe that the issue of functional regional cooperation will come to the fore in the period ahead, and along with it the resuscitating of the berlin process and – as its construct – the common regional market
Special emphasis will be placed on normalising relations with Kosovo, because it seems that, at this current geopolitical juncture, accelerating the process of normalising relations between Belgrade and Priština will also occupy a very important place in the foreign policy agendas of the U.S. and EU. It’s also clear that the new Serbian government will have to take on the energy diversification issue, which implies reducing the Russian Federation’s dominant influence when it comes to supplying gas. Alongside this, it seems to me that the issue of functional regional cooperation will come to the fore, and along with it the resuscitating of the Berlin Process and – as its construct – the Common Regional Market, but also some kind of harmonising of its operation with the Open Balkan initiative, which has been developing over the last three years. In a broader context, it is clear that the new Government of Serbia will be expected to continue to sign our country up to the declarations adopted by international organisations, like the UN General Assembly, the Council of Europe and the OSCE, related to further developments in the war in Ukraine.
