telegraf.rs

Vucic:  We are not selling former General Staff building, we are leasing it and getting huge investment

Dragica Ranković

2–3 minutes

---

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic said last tonight that the state does not plan to sell the premises of the former General Staff building in Belgrade, but to lease it in order to a get a huge investment that way.

This was his reply when asked to comment on the statement of the leader of the opposition New DSS, Milos Jovanovic, who said that Serbia would not gain any geopolitical advantage by selling the General Staff building (that was bombed and damaged by NATO in 1999).

"Unlike Mr. Jovanovic, whose government sold the Marshalat, we are not selling the General Staff (building). Those great patriots sold Marshalat and the Guard Command on 4.2 hectares of land for 15 million dollars - 13 million euros. We would have earned 20 times more money for our country here. Not for ourselves, but for our country," Vucic told reporters in Paris after a working dinner he had with French President Emmanuel Macron.

In that case, he added, the state would not have sold anything, but would have leased those buildings and land long-term.

"And would have made a huge investment out of it, employed our construction companies, employed our people. Repaired a space that everyone would enjoy, made a tourist attraction out of something, rather than a place where no Belgraders or tourists can go, because it is (now) someone's embassy."

"But - that's how those fake patriots are. They always sell everything, and then use that term, even though we aren't sell anything. I think that people understood our argument very well, and take it easy, a lot of time will pass before works start. It was the same with Belgrade Waterfront, they (protesters) were throwing out those yellow ducks, organized demonstrations every day," Vucic said.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

 

europeanwesternbalkans.com

Joveva: The EU is today far more aware of what is happening in Serbia

Sofija Popović

5–6 minutes

---

Interview for Savremena politika

07.10.2025.

4 min read

Irena JOVEVA in the EP in Strasbourg

BELGRADE – "The people of Serbia are not asking Brussels to solve all their problems. What they are asking is not to be left alone in their fight. But today's passivity, and the mixed signals coming from Brussels, only make it harder for citizens to once again see the EU as their flag of hope", said MEP Irena Joveva for Savremena politika, a newly launched portal on Serbian politics.

She said that during the protests against Milošević regime, EU flags were omnipresent because for citizens, after years of international isolation, the Union symbolized hope.

"Hope for democracy, rule of law, freedom, and better future. That hope has since faded, not least because of the EU's unfulfilled promises, the constant moving of the goalposts in the accession process, and the unresolved normalization with Pristina", she said.

According to Joveva, today's passivity and the the mixed signals that are coming from Brussels, only make it harder for citizens to once again see the EU as their flag of hope.

"But if you ask me, I am sure the people on the streets are aware that the EU as such is the best alternative for them – just not with this regime they have at the moment. The versatility of the protestors, especially their diversity in values, beliefs, and ideologies, is one of their greatest strengths. While nationalism is certainly not unique to Serbia. we see it everywhere, it is an ideology that demands we remain shackled to old grievances. I believe it is far better to look toward the future we can build together, rather than the past that has kept us apart", Joveva said.

Answering questions about the fact-finding mission that three political groups in the European Parliament requested, Joveva assessed that the fact-finding mission is needed.

"Just think of the protests from March the 15th, when some kind of sonic weapon was used against the protestors, and then swiftly covered up by the authorities. People in Serbia deserve an independent and credible account of what is happening, not just the government's version of (sur)reality", Joveva said.

She added that a fact-finding mission would establish the facts, but it would also send a strong signal that Europe is watching, that transparency is not optional, and that abuses of power will not be ignored.

Joveva assessed that European institutions today are far more aware of what is truly happening in Serbia than they were before the escalation of violence and the blatant instrumentalization of the police to secure the regime's grip on power. "This is something the EU simply cannot and must not ignore", she added.

She said that the recent debate in the European Parliament on the police brutality in Serbia illustrated that the largest political groups are willing to condemn the violence and demand independent investigations into every single case of abuse.

"The more repression President Vučić unleashes against his own citizens, the weaker his protection will be within the Commission", MEP Irena Joveva said.

She underlined that the real question now is whether the EPP will finally reassess its stances and its ties with ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and whether the EU will take actions against the regime beyond rhetoric.

"Let me remind you that the EPP has in the past suspended Viktor Orbán's party, ironically or not, a close ally of Aleksandar Vučić, precisely over the rule of law violations. Now, with SNS, they have opened an internal scrutiny process for reasons concerning the rule of law, yet in the same breath they emphasized that this is not, at least not yet, an official suspension procedure", said Joveva.

According to her, ssuch hesitation is a warning and suggesting that the outcome of this process risks becoming yet another half-measure, while the seriousness of the situation in Serbia has long passed the point where half-measures are acceptable.

"Nevertheless, sooner or later, the EPP leadership must make a choice: to stand decisively with European values, or side with those who undermine them", Joveva added.

Asked about media freedoms in Serbia and what steps the EU could take to help safeguard independent and professional journalism, Joveva said that it's long past time for the EU to move from words to action.

"Media freedom is one of the cornerstones of Serbia's EU accession process, which is why Brussels is right to demand a swift response to the pressures and attacks some journalists have faced or are facing. Yet the truth is that media freedom in Serbia has been eroding for years. Ten years ago, it was worrying, today it is deeply alarming", Joveva concluded.

The full interview is available on Savremena politika.

 

ASIA TIMES: Trampova carinska strategija se raspada

standard.rs

Trampova carinska strategija se raspada

Вилијам Песек

11–14 minutes

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Rastu izgledi da će Trampovi sporazumi o carinama sa Japanom, Južnom Korejom i Evropskom unijom propasti ili zapeti u konfuziji i prepirkama. To bi samo opravdalo kinesku taktiku odlaganja i čekanja

Američka ekonomistkinja En Kruger, stara 91 godinu, bila je svedok brojnih obrta u politici tokom svoje karijere na visokim funkcijama u Međunarodnom monetarnom fondu i Svetskoj banci. Ipak, carinska politika Donalda Trampa prema Južnoj Koreji – uključujući i bonus za potpisivanje od 350 milijardi dolara – ostavila je u čudu i ovu iskusnu ekonomistinju.

„Koreja će svakako biti pogođena ako se ovo desi", rekla je ona u nedavnom intervjuu u Seulu. „I druge zemlje će biti oštećene, ali ne toliko koliko će SAD same sebi naškoditi." Mišljenje korejskog predsednika Li Dže-mjunga je slično. Kako je kazao za Rojters, Trampov zahtev – koji se odnosi na više od 18 odsto bruto domaćeg proizvoda Koreje — doveo bi ekonomiju do ivice kolapsa.

„Ako bismo, bez valutnog svopa, povukli 350 milijardi dolara na način na koji SAD zahtevaju i sve to uložili u gotovinu u SAD, Južna Koreja bi se suočila sa situacijom kao tokom finansijske krize 1997. godine", rekao je Li.

Savetnik za nacionalnu bezbednost J. Koreje Vi Song-lak je bio vrlo jasan navodeći da je Seul procenio da su izdvajanja koja zahteva Vašington jednostavno neizvodljiva. „Takva naša pozicija ne predstavlja pregovaračku taktiku", rekao je Vi za Channel A News. „Objektivno i realno, to nije nivo sredstava koji možemo da podnesemo. Nismo u mogućnosti da platimo 350 milijardi dolara u gotovini."

Zanimljivo je da mišljenje polako menja i Japan. Poslanica Sanae Takaiči, jedna od dva najizglednija kandidata za naslednika Šigeru Išibe, dala je do znanja da bi mogli biti potrebni ponovni pregovori o američkom carinskom sporazumu — koji uključuje uplatu od 550 milijardi dolara. „Moramo da ostanemo čvrsti ako se u toku sprovođenja sporazuma pojavi nešto nepravedno i nešto što nije u interesu Japana", saopštila je ona na lokalnoj televiziji u vezi sa stotinama milijardi dolara koje Trampova administracija zahteva od Tokija. „To uključuje i mogućnost ponovnih pregovora."

Kriza u najavi

Sve ovo će sigurno razljutiti Trampa. Ipak, čak i najpovoljniji scenario za Japan mogao bi izazvati oštar odgovor iz Bele kuće. U sredu (prvog oktobra), najviši japanski pregovarač za trgovinu poručio je da će jen biti stabilan ako fond od 550 milijardi dolara zaista bude formiran.

„Radićemo oprezno kako bismo osigurali da jen ne oslabi i da ne dovedi do rasta cena uvoza u Japan", rekao je on. „Izračunali smo da je iznos od 550 milijardi dolara obim sa kojim možemo da funkcionišemo bez uticaja na devizni kurs."

Savetnik za nacionalnu bezbednost J. Koreje navodi da je Seul procenio kako su izdvajanja koja zahteva Vašington jednostavno neizvodljiva

Međutim, on je takođe jasno stavio do znanja da Trampov zahtev za trenutnim plaćanjem gotovinom nije prihvatljiv. Tokio bi finansirao taj paket kroz kombinaciju ulaganja, kredita i garancija za kredite tokom više godina, preko organizacija povezanih sa vladom. Takve institucije su poznate po opreznosti, spore su i birokratizovane — što sigurno neće odgovarati Trampu.

Dok Japan žali zbog postignutog sporazuma, nije teško posmatrati Trampove trgovinske pregovore kao krizu koja se odvija nalik usporenom snimku. Nije samo Azija zbunjena Trampovim neobičnim zahtevima za „bonusima" kao uslovom za sniženje carina, i Evropska unija deli tu zabrinutost.

Cena za dobijene carine od 15 odsto za EU je nezamisliva. Ona iznosi 1,35 biliona dolara do 2028. godine, uključujući 750 milijardi dolara u kupovini američke energije i 600 milijardi dolara novih evropskih investicija u SAD.

Predsednik Južne Koreje Li Dže-mjung razgovara sa američkim predsednikom Donaldom Trampom u Beloj kući, septembar 2025. (Foto: The White House)

Ovaj iznos je „potpuno nerealan", kaže Laura Pejdž, analitičarka u kompaniji Kpler. „Te brojke su prosto nestvarne."

Tačno je da je EU povećavala kupovinu tečnog prirodnog gasa (LNG) iz SAD nakon prekida isporuka od kada je Rusija napala Ukrajinu 2022. godine. Nakon američko-evropskog sporazuma o carinama, predsednica Evropske komisije Ursula fon der Lajen izjavila je: „Kupovina energetskih proizvoda iz SAD diverzifikovaće naše izvore snabdevanja i doprineti energetskoj bezbednosti Evrope."

Taj sporazum, dodala je Fon der Lajen, ubrzaće napore da se „ruski gas i nafta zamene značajnim kupovinama američkog tečnog gasa (LNG), nafte i nuklearnog goriva." Šef evropske trgovine Maroš Šefčović je naveo: „Spremni smo da nastavimo sa tim kupovinama. Verujemo da su te brojke ostvarive."

Međutim, retki su oni koji misle da su te brojke realno izvodljive. Kako analitičarka Pejdž tvrdi, „to se jednostavno nikada neće desiti." Njen kolega iz Kpler-a, Homajun Falakšaki, dodaje da je „to zaista fantazija."

Izvor investicija

Međutim, za Južnu Koreju stvari postaju gotovo egzistencijalne u eri Trampa 2.0. Kako je ekonomistkinja Kruger objasnila, suština Trampove trgovinske politike „jeste posebno zbunjujuća iz više razloga."

„Prvo, priča je bila da je trgovina 'nepravedna' kada SAD imaju trgovinski deficit sa nekom zemljom, i da će povećanje carina smanjiti te deficite. Ipak, veće strane investicije u SAD bi, ako se sve ostalo ne promeni, dovele do većeg deficita tekućeg računa," rekla je ona.

Drugo, „postavlja se pitanje kako bi se određivala usmerenost tih investicija. Da li bi, na primer, bilo koja investicija privatne kompanije iz EU bila uračunata u cilj koji je postavljen za Uniju? (…) Ili bi američka administracija očekivala neku vrstu kontrole nad strukturom investicija po industrijama? Da li bi, na primer, kupovina poljoprivrednog zemljišta bila uračunata? Da li bi kupovina akcija američkih kompanija predstavljala deo toga?"

Ako investicije ipak mogu da dođu iz privatnog sektora, pojavljuje se još pitanja. Npr. „Da li će vlade stranih zemalja, koje se obavezuju na određen nivo investicija, ubeđivati ili podsticati svoje kompanije da ulože ta sredstva?"

Kruger dalje ističe da bi bilo pogrešno umanjiti značaj šoka koji su Korejci osetili nakon nedavnog masovnog pritvaranja više od 300 korejskih radnika u zajedničkoj fabrici baterija kompanija Hyundai Motor i LG Energy Solution u američkoj saveznoj državi Džordžiji.

Hapšenje južnokorejskih radnika u fabrici baterija kompanija Hyundai Motor i LG Energy Solution, Džordžija, 4. septembar 2025. (Foto: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement/Reuters)

„U kratkom roku, nećemo videti mnogo investicija, što je jedan od razloga zašto je verovatnije da će carine smanjiti stopu rasta proizvodnje pre nego što će je podstaći," rekla je ona. „U tom smislu, carine će verovatno imati regresivan efekat."

„Ako Sjedinjene Države nastave sa trenutnom politikom, nemam nikakvu sumnju da ćemo o američkom veku govoriti kao o periodu otprilike od 1925. do 2025. godine. Nakon toga, vek će pripasti nekom drugom, da li Aziji, Evropi ili nekom trećem, i ko će to biti, tek će se videti", zaključila je Kruger.

Viktor Ča sa Univerziteta Džordžtaun, takođe govoreći u Seulu, smatra da poslednjih nekoliko meseci dokazuju da je „međunarodni sistem u stanju haosa."

Međunarodni poredak zasnovan na zapadnim pravilima nije zamenjen novim poretkom pod vođstvom Kine i Rusije. On ulazi u stanje nereda zbog:

1. dva rata — u Evropi i na Bliskom istoku;
2. rivalstva velikih sila, pre svega između SAD i Kine;
3. rastućeg samopouzdanja autokratskih država i
4. pretvaranja ekonomske međuzavisnosti i trgovine u sredstvo pritiska i čak u oružje.

„Za saveznike i partnere SAD u Aziji i Evropi, dodatna promenljiva koja stvara nered jeste sve veća nepredvidivost samih Sjedinjenih Država," objasnio je Ča.

„Oni su svedoci promene paradigme u američkoj politici. Politika 'Amerika na prvom mestu' više ne posmatra saveze kao unutrašnje vrednosti i izvore moći za SAD. Umesto toga, savezi se posmatraju kao skup obaveza i teret koji zloupotrebljava američku velikodušnost. SAD sada više insistiraju na transakcionim dogovorima, bez mnogo razmišljanja o dubljim ulaganjima u te odnose."

Kineska taktika

Rasturanje ovakvih utvrđenih normi izaziva veliku zabrinutost u vladinim krugovima u Seulu i Tokiju. Jedan deo strategije je da se postupno odlaže prenos stotina milijardi dolara koje SAD zahtevaju od ovih zemalja, u nadi da će Vrhovni sud SAD doneti odluku da su Trampove carine protivustavne i da ih treba poništiti. Zvaničnici iz obe prestonice dobro shvataju da, ako taj novac ipak bude isplaćen, povraćaj sredstava od Trampove administracije bi bio izuzetno težak i gotovo nemoguć zadatak.

Niži sudovi su već presudili da je Trampov trgovinski rat van granica zakona. „Ako ova presuda bude potvrđena, povraćaji već plaćenih carina mogu biti razmatrani, što bi moglo dovesti do povećanja izdavanja državnih obveznica i rasta prinosa", ističe Ed Mils, analitičar u kompaniji Raymond James, koja pruža finansijske usluge.

Međunarodni poredak zasnovan na zapadnim pravilima nije zamenjen novim poretkom pod vođstvom Kine i Rusije. On ulazi u stanje nereda

Faktor neizvesnosti drži kompanije u stanju konfuzije. „Na srednji rok, smatramo da će neizvesnost u korporacijama oko carina ostati visoka, mada niža nego što je bila krajem proleća," ističe strateški analitičar RBC-a, Lori Kalvasina. Još jedno pitanje je da li bi Tramp odlučio da ignoriše odluku Vrhovnog suda. „Tramp će sigurno pojačati napore tako što će koristiti druga ovlašćenja za uvođenje carina, nastavljajući haos trgovinskog rata u narednim mesecima kako se pobednici i gubitnici carina budu menjali", ističe Grejs Fan, analitičarka za politiku u kompaniji TS Lombard.

Ekonomistkinja Prijanka Kišor iz Asia Decoded očekuje da će Trampova administracija nastaviti da koristi „druge instrumente" kako bi sprečila uvoz proizvoda proizvedenih u Kini, čak i dok Vašington i Peking nastavljaju pregovore o bilateralnom trgovinskom sporazumu.

U jednom nedavnom tekstu, Capital Economics je kao Trampov „sledeći cilj" identifikovao carine za poluprovodnike, što bi verovatno izazvalo značajnu zabrinutost u Aziji.

Fabrika poluprovodnika u Guijangu, Kina (Foto: cnsphoto)

Za kineskog lidera Sija Đinpinga, međutim, strategija je bila da odloži postizanje sporazuma o carinama sa Trampom što duže može. Tokom tog odlaganja, Kina je jačala svoju pregovaračku poziciju, dok Trampova očajnička želja za „velikim sporazumom" raste.

Kako carine povećavaju inflaciju u SAD, narušavaju tržišta i izazivaju nepovoljne prognoze, spektakularan sporazum sa Kinom bio bi upravo ono što Trampu sada treba. Problem za njega je što i Peking to dobro zna.

Kineska vlast je bila spremna za Trampov drugi mandat, jer je u godinama nakon Trampovog prvog mandata prebacivala trgovinu ka Evropi, Jugoistočnoj Aziji i Globalnom jugu. Sijeva strategija bila je da odlaže stvari sve dok Tramp, sve više zabrinut zbog sporazuma, ne pristane na neke manje izmene ili na jednu-dve značajne narudžbine Boinga – i potom nastavi dalje po starom.

Prema izveštajima, Si čak misli da može da ubedi Trampa da odustane od američke podrške Tajvanu u zamenu za trgovinski sporazum. Vašington post piše da je Trampov potez obustave pomoći od 400 miliona dolara u oružju za Tajvan izazvao veliku zabrinutost među zvaničnicima u Tajpeju.

U međuvremenu, rastu izgledi da će Trampovi sporazumi o carinama sa Japanom, Južnom Korejom i EU ili propasti ili zapeti u konfuziji i prepirkama. To bi samo opravdalo kinesku taktiku odlaganja.

Naslov i oprema teksta: Novi Standard

Prevod: Mihailo Bratić/Novi Standard

Izvor: Asia Times

Naslovna fotografija: Alex Brandon/The Associated Press

BONUS VIDEO:

 

telegraf.rs

Aleksandar Vucic speaks from Japan: He presents incredible figures

Dragica Ranković

~2 minutes

---

Photo: tanjug/video

President Aleksandar Vucic on Monday spoke from Osaka, Japan, where he was attended the official ceremony of the presentation of the National Day of Serbia at EXPO 2025.

Vucic said Serbia is a bridge between the East and the West, just like our country's pavilion in Osaka represents a symbolic bridge between two world exhibitions: EXPO 2025 Osaka and EXPO 2027 Belgrade.

"Our numbers are really good. So far, exactly 880,000 visitors have been to the Serbian pavilion in Osaka. We expect to exceed 1,100,000!," Vucic proudly pointed out.

As part of EXPO 2025 in Osaka, a ceremony was held to present the National Day of Serbia, that included the raising of the flags of Serbia and Japan.

Vucic expressed special gratitude to Minister for EXPO 2025 Ito Yoshitaka, without whose support and attention our National Day in Osaka would not have been as impressive.

"This solemn moment, marked by the raising of the Serbian flag and the sounding of our national anthem, and then the national anthem of Japan, once again confirms the spirit of mutual respect and friendship that has united us ever since the establishment of diplomatic relations during the time of (Serbian) King Milan and (Japanese) Emperor Meiji," said Vucic.

(Telegraf.rs)

 

caliber.az

Who's stirring up Serbia: students, fans, or the EU? - Analysis

Alexander Limansky

11–14 minutes

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For ten months now, this former Yugoslav republic has been shaken by street unrest. Recently, the protests have become increasingly radical: participants are assaulting opponents, attempting to burn them alive, and vandalising and setting fire to government buildings and offices. What awaits the Serbian people in the near future?

"Popular revolution" – or just another coup?

Unlike other events, what is happening in Serbia today has largely escaped the attention of the global media. Meanwhile, as the confrontation intensifies, many participants in the unrest have already stopped remembering what it all started with. It all began with the collapse of a station canopy in Novi Sad in November 2024, which claimed 16 lives. The minister of construction resigned, followed by the prime minister. The direct perpetrators of the tragedy were also punished. However, civil society declared that the measures taken by the authorities were insufficient. They took people to the streets with the aim of overthrowing the current government, and especially President Aleksandar Vučić. Since then, the intensity of the confrontation has only increased, and recently, the most serious escalation has been observed.

Initially, the protests were largely peaceful—often taking the form of carnival-style gatherings or youthful street "parties." But soon, following the usual pattern, the organisers turned to violent actions. In recent weeks, the cheerful students have increasingly been replaced by street fighters wielding clubs and wearing masks. Their targets include police officers, offices of the ruling party, and supporters of President Aleksandar Vučić, whom the protesters contemptuously call "čaći." Opponents, in turn, refer to the protesters as "blockers" because of their efforts to block roads, educational institutions, and other facilities, aiming to inflict economic damage on the authorities.

The new wave of open violence began on August 13. On that day, attacks occurred in Belgrade and Novi Sad on camps of Vučić supporters—mockingly dubbed "čačilends." In response, the authorities began organising street mobilisations in their own support. The attackers were prepped for violent action and armed with improvised weapons. They beat government supporters with sticks and hurled firecrackers and "flares" (fake flares)—the favourite tools of football fans. Serbian football hooligans, notorious across Europe for their aggressiveness and radicalism, are actively participating in the protests. On the streets, there have also been mob attacks on Vučić supporters, who are beaten and humiliated by groups of assailants.

On August 14 in Novi Sad, the headquarters of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) was stormed, pelted with firecrackers, and set on fire. Sixty-four people were injured, including 15 law enforcement officers, five of whom were elite "Cobra" special forces operatives. Four police officers suffered serious injuries. Across the country that day, 47 police officers were reported injured. Thirty-seven active participants in the unrest were arrested, including a Croatian citizen.

"Independent" TV channels broadcast a segment showing a man in a construction helmet with a bloodied mouth telling a journalist that "the situation is terrifying" and that he had seen a man with a gun. "The 'čaći' are arming themselves with firearms!" proclaimed media outlets sympathetic to the protests. In reality, it was "Cobra" officer Vladimir Brkušanin who had been forced to fire warning shots into the air to save his colleagues from enraged protesters.

Belgrade was also tense, as radicalised demonstrators gathered near the General Staff building, which was cordoned off by police. Attacks on ruling party offices spread across the country during those days.

"The gang is running wild on the streets…"

Videos from the streets of Serbian cities increasingly resembled war-zone reports: blasts and explosions echoed, rockets and fireworks flew through the air, smoke covered everything, and crowds of agitated people alternated between attacking and fleeing.

President Aleksandar Vučić addressed the nation. He stated that those responsible for attempting to burn people alive would be punished and that several criminal cases had already been opened. He also promised that law enforcement would respond to provocations more quickly and firmly. Yet on August 15, unrest continued in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš, and Pančevo. Police deployed special equipment on the streets of Belgrade.

On August 16, the epicentres of the riots were Belgrade and Valjevo. In Valjevo, a crowd set fire to the ruling party's office and torched the city hall and prosecutor's office. Police dispersed the participants using armoured vehicles. A total of 137 police officers were injured or wounded.

Vučić once again addressed the nation: "Serbia and its citizens are in great danger: people are not allowed out into the city; Belgrade and Novi Sad are empty. Restaurateurs, hairdressers, and craftsmen cannot work in peace because gangs are running wild on the streets. They believe they have the right to beat, burn, and destroy." The Serbian president characterised the protesters' actions as terrorism.

For a time, either Serbian security forces managed to regain control of the situation, or the radicals simply ran out of steam. After all, fighting the police and hurling incendiary objects requires a lot of adrenaline and is exhausting in the long run. Or perhaps the organisers of the unrest decided to change tactics, mixing "pacifism" with street fighting. Whatever the case, the violent clashes were replaced by non-violent demonstrations. On September 1, even schoolchildren took part—showing that the protest organisers are not shy about involving children in their schemes.

However, by September 5, clashes resumed near the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Novi Sad. Large-scale protests also took place in Niš, Čačak, and Kosjerić. In Užice, protesters blocked the Zlatibor highway and gathered outside the police station, shouting insults at law enforcement officers.

On September 7 in Šabac, protesters blocked a convoy of people opposing the blockade in an attempt to provoke a clash. According to Vučić, he asked his supporters, who outnumbered the opposing group, to step back: "We do not want a fight with our brothers and sisters."

It became clear that not all members of the security forces remain a reliable pillar of the government. Commander of the SAJ special unit, Spasoje Vulević, along with several other officers, were dismissed. On September 7, at a rally in Borča, President Vučić stated that participants in the attempted coup had infiltrated the police, tax, and judicial bodies, and should have been removed much earlier. Vučić noted that more and more Serbs are coming out in support of law and order. However, he emphasised that he still supports dialogue with the protesters. He also announced that in the coming weeks, citizens will see "changes in the system" and that all criminals will be held accountable.

According to police data, on September 8, 126,000 people participated in protests across 111 settlements. In Belgrade, protesters held a large demonstration near the government building. In clashes in Kosjerić, three police officers were injured.

Hunting the "Serbian Lukashenko"

The EU has openly encouraged the street unrest, freely criticising the Serbian authorities, who, it should be noted, have been exercising restraint.

At the start of the escalation, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos stated that reports of "violence" by the authorities "are very worrying." In September, Serbian opposition figures Zdravko Ponoš and Borko Stefanović visited Brussels, where they once again outlined the "regime's atrocities."

On 5 September, Members of the European Parliament from the Green Party, Rasmus Nordqvist and Vula Céci, demanded "free" elections and then went to Novi Sad, where they took part in an illegal protest. And this is what they call non-interference?

The initiators of sanctions against Serbia were, predictably, the Greens. On September 9, co-chair of the Greens/EFA faction, Bas Eickhout, stated that the EU should reconsider funding Serbia. According to him, "autocracy is taking root in Europe, and peaceful protesters are being attacked."

Yet, for some reason, the leader of the European Greens does not seem to notice how these so-called "peaceful protesters" are setting buildings on fire, assaulting opponents, and injuring police officers.

Also on 9 September, the European Parliament held hearings on Serbia at the initiative of the Greens, the Socialists and Democrats, Renew Europe, and the EPP. Representatives of the Serbian opposition—Ponoš, Stefanović, Biljana Đorđević, and Pavle Grbović—called on the EU to exert pressure, effectively impose sanctions, and send a special mission from the European Commission. The conclusion reached: the EU should stop treating Vučić as a democratic leader and recognise him as an autocrat—a "Serbian Lukashenko."

The story of the collapsed station canopy has long been forgotten. Today, the main demand of the protesters, the opposition, and the EU is early elections. After these elections, according to one scenario, "non-partisan experts" cultivated by pro-Western NGOs are expected to come to power. At the same time, numerous political parties, previously with little chance, are now eager to claim positions for themselves.

The authorities are refusing to hold early elections under the pressure of crowds and street terror. SNS leader in the Assembly, Milenko Jovanov, stated: "The 'blockers' cannot tolerate anyone who thinks differently. By smashing buses in Čačak and attacking people at anti-blockade rallies, they have shown that there are no conditions for holding elections."

Regarding the involvement of MEPs, Jovanov asked: "If one of our deputies went to Germany and started misbehaving there, participating in violent demonstrations, would anyone say: that's a Serbian deputy? Or would I be arrested?"

It is clear that the goal of the protests, organised by pro-Western NGOs with the support of EU funds and political networks, is the complete reorientation of Belgrade's foreign policy. In the European Parliament, Vučić is criticised for his visits to China and handshakes with Putin.

However, it seems that the West is irritated less by Vučić's ties to Russia (there are plenty of Russophiles among the protesters) than by Serbia's growing closeness with China. In 2027, the country will host a specialised "Expo 2027" in partnership with China, which has already attracted participation from 120 countries. China is actively investing in Serbia, creating jobs and raising wages, pensions, and social benefits. Alongside Hungary, Serbia is becoming one of China's main hubs in Europe. It is precisely this—not "democracy violations"—that is causing irritation in Brussels and Strasbourg.

But it's not that simple. The protests are indeed massive, encompassing various segments of society and backed by political forces ranging from left-wing environmentalists to ultra-right groups and monarchists. Unlike Alexander Lukashenko in 2020, Aleksandar Vučić cannot rely on a fully consolidated state apparatus. For example, a rioter who beat a police officer with a four-metre pole was released by a court in Novi Sad. Up to 40% of Serbia's media outlets are owned by foreigners, and many of them actively work to inflame the situation.

Ultimately, the outcome of the confrontation will depend on ordinary Serbs. Will they be able to resolve their differences through dialogue? Or will they descend into the chaos of internecine struggle, handing the country over to the external control of globalist forces that have always dreamed of stripping Serbia of its independence and its right to choose allies?

 

The Destruction of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Posted on September 2, 2025 by Yves Smith

Yves here. This detailed account of the making and unmaking of Yugoslavia may seem a bit overwhelming. But it isn't clear whether outsiders can understand how events played out without considering the very complex history of the ethnic groups in the region. One part of the story that was new to me was the last ditch (1989-1991) effort to preserve Yugoslavia and why it failed.

By Dr. Vladislav B. Sotirovic, Ex-University Professor, Research Fellow at Centre for Geostrategic Studies, Belgrade, Serbia

 

CONTINUED.. https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2025/09/the-destruction-of-the-socialist-federal-republic-of-yugoslavia.html

 

Dušan Janjić,: Preventing structural destabilization of Serbia

dtt-net.com

[Opinion]: Preventing structural destabilization of Serbia

13–16 minutes

---

"I am deeply convinced that the window for a peaceful resolution of Serbia's crisis is closing, and that timely preventive measures can avoid violence and armed conflict"

 By Dušan Janjić,

Belgrade, 14 August 2025, dtt-net.com / peacefare.net – The Non-Paper "Report on the State and Threats to Human Security, Human Rights, and Freedoms in the Republic of Serbia is intended for domestic and international social, business, political, and other stakeholders whose actions influence the course of the ongoing crisis in Serbia.

The Non-Paper

The document is based on available information regarding the severity of the crisis, the state of security in the country, and political will, preparedness, and capacity of various actors to help preserve peace and stabilize the situation.

A. Serbia Facing Structural Destabilization

Political and social crises, coupled with growing security instability, have come to dominate everyday life in Serbia. The government's response has included measures reminiscent of a state of emergency and a creeping coup, raising the risk of further escalation.

President Aleksandar Vučić remains one of the most influential actors in this crisis. He has consolidated control over the media, key budgetary and investment decisions, and the management of the Serbian government, particularly its diplomacy, the military, and the police. The president is using this authority to advance the values and interests of a single segment of society and to build the Movement for the Defense of the State. His conduct violates both the letter and the spirit of the Constitution and the Law on the President, which define the president's primary duty as safeguarding the unity of the state.

Public protests and widespread sentiment challenge the legitimacy of such conduct, raising calls for current president's resignation or impeachment, and for extraordinary presidential elections. There is an emphasized need to undertake appropriate activities to strengthen political will and reach a political agreement on the conditions for electoral verification of the government.

B. Activities and Mechanism for a Peaceful Exit from the Crisis

B.1 Measures for De-escalating Threats to Human Security

• Independent Expert Commission: Establish a body to monitor and report on social conditions and security trends, and propose measures for de-escalating threats to human security, human rights, and freedoms. The Commission should cooperate with domestic and international experts, institutions, and organizations, supporting the work of an Ad Hoc Mechanism for Facilitating a Peaceful Exit from the Crisis.
• Countering advocacy of intolerance, violence, and extremism: All competent institutions must take lawful measures to suppress advocacy of intolerance, hatred, and extremism; to stop the increase in police violence; and to prevent the abuse of prosecutorial and judicial functions, including misdemeanour courts.
• Role of the President and National Security Council: Adopt measures to stop the increase of police violence and torture. Take measures to dismantle para-police groups and stop their activities and violence —especially those supported by the ruling parties, funded through misuse of public resources or illicit means, supported by the police, and tolerated by parts of the judiciary.
• Role of the Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office: Fulfil legal obligations to combat extremist and para-police activities, especially those connected to political parties, public officials, and organized crime.
• Parliamentary and institutional oversight: Activate existing mechanisms for parliamentary and other forms of public oversight over the security and intelligence community in Serbia, especially the police and the Security Intelligence Agency (BIA).
• Assessment of institutions of special public importance: Urgently review whether the key institutions— Constitutional Court, Anti-Corruption Agency, Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection, and Protector of Citizens—are fulfilling their constitutional and legal mandates and effectively contributing to the protection of human security, rights, and freedoms in Serbia.
• National Security Agency: Consider establishing an agency legally designated as one of key actors in upholding the rule of law, responsible for providing critical security and defence information to authorized institutions, countering cyber and communications threats, protecting individuals and facilities, safeguarding the national currency and payment systems, and leading or assisting in investigations into war crimes, terrorism, and politically motivated murders.
• Police reorganization: Create legal and operational conditions to reorganize the police into a single structure with a unified chain of command and management.

B.2 Roundtable on Stabilizing the Situation in Serbia

The Roundtable on Stabilizing the Situation in Serbia is an ad hoc mechanism that enables reaching a political agreement to overcome the current legitimacy crisis and irregularities in the work of the National Assembly of Serbia, Assembly of AP Vojvodina, city and municipality assemblies, as well as local community councils throughout Serbia.

Rationale:

• Deep political and social divisions;
• High public distrust in authorities;
• Conflict between the opposition and the government;
• Limited crisis capacity management on both sides;
• Lack of acceptable institutional framework for dialogue;
• Risk of radicalization, parallel institutions, and violent resistance;
• Infiltration of para-state structures and organized crime into state institutions, especially in the security and intelligence sector.

Goals:

• Reach political agreement on conditions for fair and democratic elections;
• Ensure peaceful, democratic resolution of the political and security crisis;
• Establish basic rules and mechanisms to reduce tensions and security risks.

Participants:

• Representatives of protesting citizens, civic initiatives, student, professional, local, and other movements with significant public support;
• Parliamentary political parties.

Moderation:

• Moderator of the Roundtable may be an individual or a collective body, either a Serbian citizen and/or a representative of the international community (the Quint is recommended).
• Moderator selection requires unanimous approval of all participants.

Expected outcome:

• Consensus on creating conditions for free and fair elections, including:
• Integrity of voter register and prevention of biometric and data abuse;
• Independent monitoring of the activities of the Republic Data Center;
• Decision on the electoral system model (majority or proportional);
• Introducing larger number of electoral districts;
• Direct voting procedures and ballot security;
• Balanced regional and minority representation;
• Financing of political parties and campaigns.

Recommendations:

• The National Assembly elected in early elections should serve as a constituent assembly;
• It is necessary to set a specific timeframe for the transitional period. For the president and the constituent assembly, this period should be shorter than the term established by law for those elected in regular elections;
• Reaching an agreement on the schedule for holding extraordinary elections at all levels.

C. Role of the President in Serbia's Stabilization

Given the serious security challenges facing Serbia and the need to prevent further destabilization, particular focus is on the role of the president, National Security Council, and the security and intelligence community in Serbia.

Public debate frequently raises the question: Who will replace Vučić? This Non-Paper does not answer this question but stresses the need for electoral change of this function and outlines tasks for the president to ensure a peaceful, democratic transfer of power and stabilization in the country.

It is the Responsibility of the President of the Republic of Serbia to:

• Initiate measures to guarantee the property rights of citizens, public and state property, as well as the property of companies and cooperatives, legacies, and more; promote an effective restitution process to return unjustly taken property to its rightful owners.
• Support the creation of an environment fostering business, political, and social cooperation, respect for the rule of law, institutional recovery, and solidarity.
• Encourage dialogue on Serbia's Reform and Sustainable Development Strategy for the coming decade, involving the businesses community, experts, civil society, and international partners.
• Support opening Serbia to multinational corporations that contribute to sustainable development, while respecting the interests and needs of domestic economy and the public, especially in strategic sectors, such as, food production, water management, mining and processing of rare metals, energy, and human security.
• The Law on the President and other related laws should clearly define the President's rights, duties, and responsibilities to uphold the Constitution, laws, and strategic documents essential for Serbia's sustainable development, stability, security, and defense. The President must adhere to these responsibilities when deciding on granting a mandate to form the government, approving laws, and appointing Constitutional Court judges and diplomatic representatives.
• When signing decrees promulgating laws, the President is obliged to provide explanations for the decision to give consent and point out appropriate and necessary amendments to the law and Constitution.
• Contribute to strengthening judicial independence; eliminate the practice of protecting acquired privileges and monopolies; prevent the National Assembly from acting as a "party personnel filter" in the judiciary.
• Provide support to judicial and investigative authorities in combating corruption, organized crime, and terrorism, directly and/or through the National Security Council. 
• Initiate comprehensive monitoring, review, and reporting on cooperation with foreign intelligence services; initiate ending the practice of involving BIA and VOA members in prosecutorial teams and overseeing prosecution work; initiate removing VOA's influence over the War Crimes Prosecutor's Office.
• In carrying out duties of appointments and awards, the President is obliged to respect and is accountable for the integrity of the individuals being appointed or honored.
• Respects diversity and promotes the integrative policies. Given the importance of interethnic relations for Serbia's development, stability, and security, and considering the prolonged inactivity of the National Council for National Minorities, the President of the Republic should be legally authorized to chair this Council.

D. Urgent Measures

The Law on the President of the Republic should clearly define, in line with the Constitution and other laws, the criteria for granting amnesty and pardon, along with the President's accountability for failing to adhere to these criteria.

It is necessary to examine the President's past actions in relation to sustainable development issues, with an immediate focus on halting the President's involvement in bodies and institutions that approve major capital investment projects.

It is necessary to ensure adequate infrastructure and human resources to enable effective performance of the President's public duties. To this end, a review of the legal status and responsibilities of the National Security Council is required, recognizing it as a key body for improving security conditions and guiding the activities of the security and intelligence community.

Members of the National Security Council can only be worthy citizens of Serbia, with proven qualifications and experience in the fields of strategic planning and directing security development in all its aspects.

The Council should be chaired by the President of the Republic and/or the Security Adviser to the Republic of Serbia.

The current Bureau for Coordination of Security Services should be replaced by a Bureau for Coordination of Activities of the Intelligence and Security Community. Its members should be representatives from the National Assembly, the Government of Serbia, and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, European Integration, Internal Affairs, and Defense. The existing Bureau for Coordination of Security Services should be transformed into a Coordinating Body of the Intelligence and Security Community, composed of the heads of security and intelligence agencies.

——————————————————————————————————————

The author is founder and President of the Belgrade-based Executive Board of Forum for Ethnic Relations. He specializes in Sociology of Nationalism; Ethnicity; Ethnic Conflicts and their Resolution; Human and Minorities Rights; Political Movements and Ideologies; Peace Making and Peace Building.

This opinion was first published at peacefare.net website.             

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of dtt-net.com.

Post Views: 227

 

thepavlovictoday.com

Trump Tells President Vucic He Wants to Make a Trade Deal

Ksenija Pavlovic McAteer

8–10 minutes

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President Donald Trump is turning his trade deal attention to Serbia. In a letter obtained by The Pavlovic Today, the president says he is ready to strike a trade deal or impose a 35% tariff on all Serbian imports to the U.S. starting Aug. 1, 2025. But, like in all things Trump, here's the twist: the tariff threat is really a deal offer — New York-style.

THE ASK — Open your markets. Drop the trade barriers. Get reciprocal. Or the tariffs go into effect.

In the letter, sent from the White House to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Monday, Trump lays it out:

"It is a Great Honor for me to send you this letter in that it demonstrates the strength and commitment of our Trading Relationship, and the fact that the United States of America has agreed to continue working with Serbia, despite having a significant Trade Deficit with your great Country."

Letter from Donald Trump to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic proposing a new Trump Serbia trade deal.

WHY THE TRUMP SERBIA TRADE DEAL MATTERS? — The higher tariffs global policy will begin Aug. 1, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said yesterday, adding that Trump is "setting the rates and the deals right now."

This is part of a broader "letter-or-trade-deal" push from Trump, who previewed the move yesterday during the press gaggle  at Morristown Municipal Airport  while standing next to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick.

"It could be 12, maybe 15," Trump said about the wave of trade letters going out this week. "You know, Secretary of Commerce right here, I guess Howard I would say it could be maybe as many as could be."

President Donald J. Trump, joined by Vice President Mike Pence, participates in a signing ceremony with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti Friday, Sept. 4, 2020, in the Oval Office of the White House. ( Photo: D. Myles Cullen)

Serbia, we're told, is in the first batch — signaling its top priority for Trump. More letters to other countries are coming later in the week.

"A couple" are expected Tuesday and Wednesday. "And we've made deals also," Trump added. "So we can have a combination of letters, and some deals have been made."

THE FINE PRINT — Trump's letter says the U.S.-Serbia relationship has been "far from Reciprocal," and points to "longterm, and very persistent, Trade Deficits engendered by Serbia's Tariff, and Non Tariff, Policies and Trade Barriers."

And here's the warning:

"Starting on August 1, 2025, we will charge Serbia a Tariff of only 35% on any and all Serbian products sent into the United States, separate from all Sectoral Tariffs. Goods transshipped to evade a higher Tariff will be subject to that higher Tariff."

BUT WAIT — THERE'S A LOOPHOLE — Trump is offering Serbia a deal:

In his letter, Trump urges Vucic to "please understand" that the 35% tariff—if the deal falls through—is "far less" than what is needed to eliminate the trade deficit the United States has with Serbia.

"There will be no Tariff if Serbia, or companies within your Country, decide to build or manufacture product within the United States and, in fact, we will do everything possible to get approvals quickly, professionally, and routinely — In other words, in a matter of weeks."

Trump also included a standard line he's used before with countries like the U.K. and China. Retaliate? That'll cost you.

"Whatever the number you choose to raise them by, will be added onto the 35% that we charge."

THEN, THE UPDATE HAPPENED— Speaking from the White House just moments after the letter was sent, President Trump clarified that the Trump tariff letters delivered to countries including Serbia are "more or less final offers" — but not without room for negotiation.

"Some of them wanted to make a deal and wanted to be fair," Trump said. "Others, perhaps, got a little bit spoiled."

Asked if the Aug. 1 tariff date is firm, Trump replied:

"I would say firm but not 100% firm. If they call up and say we'd like to do something a different way, we're going to be open to that."

THE BIGGER PICTURE — Trump has been framing his tariff agenda as a national security issue since the day he announced his global policy shift.

"This Deficit is a major threat to our Economy and, indeed, our National Security!"

THE TAKEAWAY — Yet despite the tough talk about tariffs, reciprocation and retaliation, Trump remains, at his core, the dealmaker. That includes Howard Lutnick, who, as Trump often notes, "barely sleeps" as he hustles to finalize trade deals with multiple countries.

Sec. Bessent, Lutnick, and Charles { Photo credit: The White House via Flickr]

Trump's letter ends not with a threat but with a teaser:

"If you wish to open your heretofore closed Trading Markets to the United States, and eliminate your Tariff, and Non Tariff, Policies and Trade Barriers, we will, perhaps, consider an adjustment to this letter."

And finally, the flourish:

"You will never be disappointed with The United States of America."

***

This article has been updated to include President Trump's latest comments.

 

tanjug.rs

Vucic: Usain Bolt first official ambassador of EXPO 2027 Belgrade

Tanjug

14–18 minutes

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BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Tuesday unveiled former Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt as the first official ambassador of EXPO 2027 Belgrade.

Bolt is an eight-time Olympic gold medalist and the world record holder in 100 metres, 200 metres, and 4×100 metres relay.

The EXPO will be the largest event in the world in 2027, Vucic said, adding that, to date, 115 countries had confirmed their participation.

"Bolt holds the 100 m record with 9.58 s. I am not sure anyone will ever be able to run faster. Whatever the advances of technology, training and training methodology may be, the man is simply the best ever, the fastest ever, and that is it," Vucic said at the Palace of Serbia after a meeting with Bolt.

"There were never any limits for Bolt," Vucic said, adding that Belgrade would break the record when it comes to specialised EXPOs.

"Usain Bolt, the fastest man ever, is the brand ambassador of the EXPO and Serbia. We have agreed to have several brand ambassadors. We want the expo to be the largest event in the world and, in 2027, it will be."

Vucic said that the current record number of participants in specialised EXPOs was 117.

"We expect to have more than 135 participant countries, to break all records and be by far the best of all times, and become hard to beat, just like Usain Bolt is hard to beat. For us, it is extremely important to improve the visibility of the EXPO itself so that people can see how and to what extent Serbia is progressing," Vucic said.

 

onemileatatime.com

Air Serbia Plans Miami Flights, And Maybe Toronto Flights

Ben Schlappig

5–6 minutes

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Air Serbia's CEO is once again going on record about the next destinations in North America that the airline is considering, and I'm particularly happy about the frontrunner…

Air Serbia plans North America expansion in near future

Air Serbia CEO Jiri Marek did an interview with Business Focus, where he was asked about the carrier's growth plans in North America. For context, Air Serbia's long haul fleet currently consists of four Airbus A330s, and long haul destinations include Chicago (ORD), New York (JFK), Guangzhou (CAN), and Shanghai (PVG).

Here was his answer about where in North America Air Serbia is looking to expand to next:

Historically, our US flights have been driven by diaspora demand from the former Yugoslavia. Post-COVID, they have also grown in popularity with tourists from both sides. Now, we are expanding connectivity through a codeshare with JetBlue and cooperation with American Airlines, extending our network beyond New York and Chicago to the rest of the US.

Our next logical US destination is Miami. In North America, we are also considering Toronto, though its high seasonality and diaspora-driven demand make it less stable than JFK or Chicago, which have additionally also stronger cargo potential as another differentiating factor.

Air Serbia is considering Miami and Toronto flights

This isn't the first time the company has floated the concept of service to Miami (MIA) or Toronto (YYZ). There has been talk of Toronto service dating back to 2018 (when Pearson Airport officials claimed the parties were in "advanced talks"), while Miami was mentioned in 2024, when the company claimed it would launch those flights in 2025.

As someone who lives in Miami, I'd of course be delighted to see Air Serbia fly here, since more European links are always useful. After Chicago and New York (which are already served), Miami has the next highest demand in the United States for Belgrade flights. Miami is also great in terms of seasonality, since it has strong demand in winter.

For that matter, Air Serbia is uniquely positioned, since it has access to both the European Union and Russia. South Florida has a significant Russian population, so I'm sure Air Serbia would get a lot of business from that.

Any expansion will require more aircraft, or at least more availability from existing aircraft, so it's anyone's guess when this service actually launches. We know that Air Serbia is looking to double its A330 fleet in the coming years, to eight aircraft.

Air Serbia's A330 business class

Air Serbia deserves credit for its impressive success

Air Serbia is government owned, which all too often seems to be a curse for airlines, and a recipe for failure. Heck, keep in mind that in 2013, Etihad bought a 49% stake in Air Serbia, but then abandoned the airline, leaving the government in full control.

I've gotta say, Air Serbia's management has done a phenomenal job leading the airline. Air Serbia has achieved a small profit in both 2023 and 2024. Most importantly for a government owned airline, it has created jobs and increased connectivity to the country, which is the real value in a national airline.

Now, admittedly one wonders about some of the math when the government is the main shareholder, but I'd argue the airline has been going about things exactly right. Air Serbia has been taking advantage of its advantageous geography to grow slowly and steadily.

Unlike so many other government owned airlines, the airline hasn't been run based on prestige, or based on flying the newest planes. Quite to the contrary, all of Serbia's A330s are used, and previously flew for other airlines.

Air Serbia also benefits from the current Russia situation, since Air Serbia has access to both the European Union and Russia. When you combine that with the general affordability of Serbia (and therefore low operating costs), there's no reason the airline can't continue to grow and be successful, and become on the biggest players in Eastern Europe.

I'm impressed by Air Serbia's success and growth

Bottom line

Air Serbia is looking at some new destinations in North America. Miami seems to be at the top of the list, while Toronto continues to be under consideration, though it doesn't sound like much progress has been made there. Air Serbia has been growing slowly but steadily, so hopefully we see this service launch in the near future.

What do you make of Air Serbia planning on launching Miami flights, and maybe Toronto flights?

 

consortiumnews.com

DIANA JOHNSTONE: Serbia's Organized Chaos

21–26 minutes

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Serbia has been racked for months by disruptive protests largely attributed to students, opposition leaders and university authorities. Are these organic protests?

Anti-government protest in Belgrade, Slavija Square, Dec. 22, 2024. (Stefan Miljuš /Wikimedia Commons/ Public Domain)

By Diana Johnstone
Special to Consortium News

Serbia is a small country which used to be a favorite of Western Allied powers like France and Britain for its heroic resistance to Austrian and German invasion in two world wars. 

They liked it so much that in redrawing European boundaries at Versailles in 1918, they enlarged it into the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes which later became Yugoslavia.

Some Serb leaders at the time felt that this was too much, but at the time, Croat and Slovene leaders were glad to leave the Austro-Hungarian Empire and join the winning side. 

All this changed abruptly in the 1990s. Germany had been reunited and began to drop its humble post-World War II foreign policy.  With German support and encouragement, the Yugoslav republics (states) of Slovenia and Croatia declared their independence, with the intention of joining the club of the rich: the European Union.

This shift enabled the two richest Yugoslav states to stop paying development funds for poorer regions such as Kosovo and to receive development funds from the EU.  The debt crisis of the 1970s had strained relations among the republics.  

But according to the secessionists, their sole motivation was to escape from "Serbian nationalism."  A great champion of this interpretation was the late Otto von Habsburg, an influential member of the European Parliament. As heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, dismantled as a result of World War I, he naturally held a personal grudge against Serbia.

As the Yugoslav disintegration grew confused and violent, Western media and government enthusiastically echoed the Habsburg line, not as such, but as defense of Western values and self-determination.

Western media put all the blame for everything on the Serbs, evoking the inevitable Hitler analogy to describe Serbia's besieged leader, Slobodan Milosevic, as a "dictator" and to liken his failing efforts to keep Yugoslavia together with the Third Reich's massive invasion of the rest of Europe. 

"Heroic little Serbia" was transformed into the Pariah of the Western World.

A Nation in Limbo

The concrete result of the 1999 NATO bombing of Serbia was to transform the "defensive" alliance into an aggressive force; to deliver the historic Serbian province of Kosovo to armed ethnic Albanians; and to build an enormous U.S. military base in the province. 

But NATO nations framed it as conspiratorial to say that such were the aims of the NATO bombing. No, the official purpose was "the right to intervene" on grounds of human rights, to "save the Kosovars" from a "genocide" that was never a real possibility. That's what everyone in the West has been told, over and over.

NATOland and "Western values" do not — not any longer — dominate the whole world. But Serbia is situated, geographically and psychologically, in the West. 

Serbia was part of Yugoslavia,  an independent, nonaligned socialist country, not part of the Soviet bloc.  But Serbs have an historic friendship with Russia, as fellow Orthodox Christians, dating back to Serbia's struggle to free itself from the Ottoman Empire. Serbs are in fact torn between, or attached to, both East and West.

They are in a perfect situation to be friends with everyone, which is what the current government in Belgrade of President Alexander Vucic is trying to do.

From its history and natural inclinations, Serbia should be a bridge between East and West.

 Vucic with journalists during the 2018 European People's Party Congress in Helsinki. (European People's Party /Wikimedia Commons /CC BY 2.0)

Vucic was elected president of Serbia in 2017 and he and his Serbian Progressive Party have won a number of elections since by wide majorities. His economic development policies have made a bad situation better.

After Western companies took over Serbian industries only to shut them down, Vucic has welcomed Chinese investments which are reviving Serbian industrial production and mining. The economic growth rate accelerated to a comfortable 3.9 percent in 2024. Higher education for students who pass entrance exams is free, and Serbian universities enjoy high international ratings.  

In contrast to its neighbors, Serbs are staying in their native land, while others are leaving. (Bosnia Herzegovina has lost half of its population to emigration, relatively prosperous Montenegro 24.4 percent, North Macedonia 31.6 percent and Serbia only 7 percent, indicating that life prospects there are relatively promising.)

Serbia's relations with China have long been friendly and profitable. Vucic's foreign policy tries to balance between East and West, but the rise in hostility between the EU and Russia makes this difficult.

But the same Western supremacists who destroyed the natural "bridge" function of Ukraine by insisting on its "NATO destiny" are working to subvert all potential bridges to Russia — distant Georgia, Moldova and nearby Serbia. 

As an applicant to join the European Union, Serbia is kept under constant observation to see whether it is adapting to EU standards, economic and political. To satisfy Brussels, Vucic has supplied weapons to Ukraine but refuses to enforce sanctions against Russia, which provides Serbia with gas.

He has rejected EU demands to recognize the independence of Kosovo, as any Serbian leader must do to remain in office until tomorrow. But his domestic critics consider him not tough enough.

EU Parliament on Jan. 19, 2011, the day members approved a reform package, the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Agreement, designed to move the country toward EU membership. (European Parliament/Flickr/ CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Vucic defied EU threats by flying to Moscow to attend the May 9 ceremonies celebrating the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany's war of conquest.  Otherwise, he would have been hotly condemned at home for slavish subservience to the EU.  Instead, his enemies can cry "Putin's puppet."

Josip Tito's policy of nonalignment was a great success and Vucic appears to emulate the former Yugoslavian leader's approach. But his balancing act exposes him to criticism from both sides.

Protests Against…Whatever

Strangely, for months Serbia has been rocked by massive student protests and blockades, not over foreign policy or over any specific government policies, but primarily in response to tragic events with no obvious political significance.

In Belgrade on May 3, 2023, a 13-year-old boy armed with pistols and Molotov cocktails attacked his school, killing eight children and a security guard. The under-age shooter was eventually sent to a psychiatric hospital and the parents were charged.

On the evening of the very next day a 20-year-old man drove through two villages in central Serbia firing an automatic assault rifle, killing nine people and wounding 12 others.  He fled but was caught and eventually sentenced to 20 years.

This was shocking in a country where gun ownership is high but shooting incidents rare. Large protest demonstrations were held in major cities for several months. Opposition leaders created a protest movement "Serbia Against Violence" which blamed Vucic for creating "an atmosphere" responsible for the killings.

This is surely an exaggeration. In fact, police repression in Serbia is relatively mild, and Vucic can hardly be blamed for the mood of violence that prevails in the world today. Former Prime Minister Ana Brnabic also risked exaggeration by claiming that the protests were "fueled by foreign intelligence services."

Candidates for "Serbia Against Violence" won 24 percent of the vote in parliamentary elections on Dec. 17, 2023, just half the 48 percent won by the coalition supported by Vucic. 

Serbia Against Violence, or SPN, coalition representatives in front of the National Assembly of Serbia on Nov. 3, 2023. (Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 3.0)

In February 2024, a delegation headed by Marinika Tepic of "Serbia Against Violence" and Radomir Lazovic of the "Serbian Green-Left Front" went to Strasbourg to complain to the European Parliament that the elections had been stolen.  

Enjoying minimal legislative power, the European Parliament asserts itself mainly by adopting virtuous resolutions condemning human rights violations in foreign countries on the basis of often unverified complaints.

As was to be expected, by an overwhelming vote of 461 to 52 the European Parliament promptly adopted a strong resolution calling for an international investigation into "election irregularities" and threatening to stop EU funding. The main complaint was that by campaigning, President Vucic had unfairly influenced voters.

Marinika Tepic declared to Politico that "if something doesn't change now, we will completely slide into a dictatorship." 

EU's Missionary Work

Protests against recognizing the December 2023 elections reached such proportions that many feared a replay of the 2014 Maidan demonstrations that led to war in Ukraine. 

Pavle Cicvaric, who had learned organizing skills in numerous programs and workshops funded by Western foundations, led the student protests in Belgrade. The young leader's parents are both deeply involved in the work of NGOs. 

His mother, Dr. Jelena Žunic Cicvaric, is project coordinator of the NGO "Regional EU Resource Center for Civil Society in Serbia," a key channel for the redistribution of European Union funds, allocated only to those actively working on raising awareness of "European values."

His father, Radovan Cicvaric, a long-time politician campaigning for Euro-integration, is also promoting "European values" as director of the NGO Užice Center for Child Rights (UCPD) founded in 1998. 

While the UCPD focuses on children, another influential NGO, the Belgrade Open School (BOS), founded in 1993, sponsors programs for students and young professionals, including "training of social change agents."

Both are part of the "Youth Umbrella Organization of Serbia" which receives significant funds from international donors such as USAID, the Soros' Open Society Foundation, and various European Union programs. 

They organize workshops, training sessions, and projects aimed at strengthening the capacities of local NGOs and promoting European values. "Transition" countries applying for EU membership must listen to instructions on how to be worthy Europeans. 

This educational task is undertaken by the European Fund for the Balkans (EFB), a joint initiative of European foundations that envisions, runs and supports initiatives aimed at strengthening democracy and fostering European integration. 

Significantly, the EFB is sponsoring a "Joint History Project" to produce and spread a unified version of regional history, with the kind support of the German Foreign Office.  

The Balkan Trust for Democracy (BTD) is a foundation based in Belgrade. It was founded in March 2003 by the German Marshall Fund, USAID, and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. Other donors include the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Tipping Point Foundation, Robert Bosch Foundation, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, and the foreign affairs ministries of Denmark and Greece. The BTD supports grant donation, policy dialogue, and leadership development. 

If you want to be a leader, you know where to go.

It is hard to imagine that these Western-financed organizations have not contributed to the zeal and skill of Serbian student protesters.

A Deadly Collapse

Novi Sad is Serbia's second-largest city, a major stop on the new high speed railway route between Belgrade and Budapest being rebuilt with Chinese aid. 

As part of this project, Novi Sad's 60-year old modernistic railroad station was recently renovated, leaving in place a long concrete canopy across its entrance side. On the morning of Nov. 1, 2024, the concrete canopy suddenly collapsed, killing a total of 16 people.

The Serbian government declared a nation-wide day of mourning, a number of officials resigned, including the Serbian construction minister and the mayor of Novi Sad. Investigations of the causes are continuing.  

Portion of the canopy of the main railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia, that collapsed onto people walking and sitting underneath on Nov. 1, 2024. (Mishyac /Wikimedia Commons/ CC0)

For the student activists, the collapse was seen as clear proof of corruption, not only in construction work on the station but throughout society. Declaring that what happened in Novi Sad is proof that Serbia is overwhelmed by crime, violence, corruption and despair, the students have given themselves the task of changing this "unbearable social reality" to build a new Serbia. 

An apparently leaderless movement organizes student plenums which privately decide by consensus what to do next. They have shut down university faculties and schools, preventing students from attending classes for months.

Students who want to attend classes are treated like traitors. Even hospitals have been blockaded. It has been observed that the activist students tend to come from well-to-do families and are not joined by working class youth.  It is an elite revolt calling for equality.  

Students blocking traffic are protected by police. The government clearly suspects provocation and has been avoiding the sort of violent repression used by the French government of Emmanuel Macron to put down the Yellow Vests movement.  

Transition to What?

March during the general strike in Belgrade on Jan, 24, 2025. The banner in the foreground says "Only Student Save the Serbs," a play on the national slogan "Only Unity Saves the Serbs." (SergioOren / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0)

Serbian students under 26 were not born when NATO bombed Serbia.  

Serbian youth has grown up torn between the scars of the NATO bombing and the persistent dominant Western view of Serbs as the guilty party for the destruction of Yugoslavia.  No wonder that this creates some confusion.

It is understandable that a portion of middle class Serbian, urban youth find it unbearable to be excluded from "the West" by Serbia's imposed Pariah status.

Youth can be very conformist in their rebelliousness, seeking to join together in defiance of their elders. However confused the West may be, it still excels most in selling itself as something marvelous. 

A significant way it does this is through its massive web of non-governmental organizations. 

In April, EU auditors issued a report noting a "lack of transparency" in granting some 4.8 billion euros to some 5,000 NGOs during the 2021-2023 period, in addition to Member State grants of some 2.6 billion euros to around 7,500 NGOs from EU funding sources.  

It is not clear which countries benefited, but Marta Kos, the Slovenian EU commissioner for enlargement, has mentioned Serbia. 

Kos during confirmation hearings as European commissioner for enlargement, Nov. 7, 2024. (CC-BY-4.0: © European Union 2024– Source: EP)

In a March 28 interview with Slovenian RTV, Kos rejected as "unacceptable" suggestions by President Vucic that EU-funded NGOs are encouraging student protests aimed to overthrow him. Kos nevertheless noted that she was "much more in contact with the NGOs I met in Brussels than with the Serbian government or its president." 

She said:

"Many NGOs in Serbia would not survive without our support, and it is precisely because of the exceptional importance of NGOs that I have decided to allocate an additional €16 million to them for the period from this year until the end of 2027."

"Without the participation of civil society, there can be no enlargement process," Kos said, adding that she trusts the Serbian people to "guide their politicians so that Serbia can become a member of the European Union." Kos feels qualified to provide guidance. 

Aleksander Vulin is a prominent Socialist who has held various ministerial posts.  But no more.  "I hope that Mr. Vulin will not be a member of the new government, because those who act in an anti-European manner cannot lead Serbia into the EU," said Kos. She got her way. 

Among his sins, Vulin favors joining BRICS and had called for a law revealing NGO financing by foreign governments. (When Georgia adopted such a law, EU leaders mobilized to stop it, but failed.)  

On the other hand, Vucic defied dire threats by the EU against daring to attend the May 9 celebrations of the Allied Victory over Nazi Germany. He flew around Baltic States blocking his flight and showed up in Moscow, along with the courageous Slovak prime minister, Robert Fico.

 Vucic in Moscow on May 9, on his way to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Ramil Sitdikov, RIA Novosti, Presidet of Russia)

Such is the Vucic balancing act. As a result, Vucic is denounced as "pro-Putin" in Brussels while his domestic adversaries denounce him for weakly giving in to EU demands.

The student protesters are still more ambiguous.

They clearly don't want to give credence to government accusations that they are manipulated by EU NGOs. The EU flag has been tacitly banned from the huge student demonstrations, with only Serbian flags being waved, as if to demonstrate national independence. 

However, this spring a contingent of student protesters created a spectacle by setting out to take their grievances to EU institutions, ostensibly on bicycles.  They were warmly welcomed as they complained that everything in Serbia was absolutely awful. 

On May 6, Serbia's leading newspaper Politika reported that visiting Serbian blockaders in the European Parliament gallery listened meekly as they were lectured by a Croatian nationalist, Steven Nikola Bartulica, who told them that "European values mean also a confession of guilt for everything Serbia did to Croatia." 

(In the summer of 1995, Croatia expelled about 200,000 Serbs from their homes in the Krajina region of Croatia, in the largest ethnic cleansing of the Yugoslav wars.) 

Bartulica claimed Serbia was not a European-style liberal democracy and would not be normalized until it accepted paying reparations to Croatia.

Members of the European Parliament expressed satisfaction that the students had chosen "Europe" against Russia, and called for overthrowing Vucic and Fico for having gone to Moscow.

At home, however, the protest demonstrations seem to be losing momentum, to the extent that students have stopped demanding everything! now! and are retreating to the demand for elections.

Boosted by his trip to Moscow, where his delegation held serious talks with President Vladimir Putin, Vucic held a patriotic rally in the city of Nis where he declared that the students' demands are over and do not interest him any more. He dismissed the blockaders as a very loud minority of mobbing bullies terrorizing the majority of citizens who want peace, work and unity. 

By suddenly demanding snap elections, he assumed that they were simply seeking another opportunity for violent outbursts, since elections will always be declared stolen by the opposition.  Elections will be held normally in a year or so, he said.  

On May 22, Belgrade received a visit from Kaja Kallas, an Estonian chosen by Ursula von der Leyen to be high representative of the EU for foreign affairs.  Having no diplomatic experience, Kallas' most visible qualifications are being a young woman with an unsurpassed hatred of Russia.

Kallas, center, EU high representative and vice president of the European Commission, at a NATO meeting in Brussels on April 4. (NATO /Flickr/ CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

While in Belgrade, the EU's top diplomat met, in a strange twist, with the president and the prime minister to tell them what to do.  But she met  with representatives of student protesters to listen to what they had to say. 

She praised her meetings with "civil society" and youth activists. "I heard their call and their aspirations – for fairness, for accountability so that Serbia can fulfill its full potential," she said. "Their energy is needed to find a way forward." 

In contrast, Kallas scolded Vucic for meeting Putin in Moscow. Serbia's future acceptance into the EU, she stressed, depends on the country's "strategic choice" between East and West.

Putin, by contrast, accepts Vucic's balancing act and has no objection to Serbia joining the EU. Variety is consistent with a multipolar world. But for the West, "you are with us or against us." Between East and West, there are no bridges allowed.   

Perplexity & Fear

In Belgrade, some people think the protests are petering out. Perhaps, but in the past they have died down only to revive over some incident. Since the causes are unclear, so are the solutions. 

The difficulty, Dragan Pavlovic, a Serbian commentator, told me is that the protests are expressed in "very general demands for a 'better life,' which obviously does not offer any concrete basis for understanding what is essentially wanted or what should be done to calm the protests." Such demands can go on forever. 

"It is probably an orchestrated, mass hysteria, caused by the nuclear threat, the genocide in Gaza, the prolongation of the crisis in Kosovo and the actions of non-governmental organizations," he suggests. 

Journalist and writer Mara Knezevic Kern considers it impossible to understand these incredible events. "I do not believe that it is possible to describe this new variant of an attack on the state — it has not happened anywhere else yet." In the 1990s, Yugoslavia served as an experimental laboratory for regime change.  Many fear that this is happening again, in Serbia.

Diana Johnstone was press secretary of the Green Group in the European Parliament from 1989 to 1996. In her latest book, Circle in the Darkness: Memoirs of a World Watcher (Clarity Press, 2020), she recounts key episodes in the transformation of the German Green Party from a peace to a war party. Her other books include Fools' Crusade: Yugoslavia, NATO and Western Delusions (Pluto/Monthly Review) and in co-authorship with her father, Paul H. Johnstone, From MAD to Madness: Inside Pentagon Nuclear War Planning (Clarity Press). She can be reached at diana.johnstone@wanadoo.fr

The views expressed are solely those of the author and may or may not reflect those of Consortium News.