The soft and smart power of Serbia as a means to solve the Kosovo-Metohija issue

Abstract

The paper analyses the role of soft and smart power as a strategic means by which it is possible to defend the vital national interests of the Republic of Serbia regarding Kosovo and Metohija. These means of foreign policy gain particular importance in the context of turbulent and dynamic changes at global level, primarily in the sense of rearranging global power relations and shifting power towards new, growing centres, along with the reshaping of the world order towards multipolarity. In the introductory part of the paper, a theoretical approach is taken to consider the main terms and concepts covered by the subject of the research. The central part analyses the elements that make up the Serbian soft and smart power in the light of the aforementioned changes in international relations. In this regard, the most important documents related to the resolution of the issue of Kosovo and Metohija have been analysed. The position of Serbia in relation to the key factors at international level is also discussed, as well as their positioning in relation to this problem. In the final part of the paper, an effort has been made to clarify to what extent it is possible to combine hard and soft power in the issue of Kosovo and Metohija, viewed primarily through the prism of the strengthening influence of forces in favour of Serbia, primarily China and Russia, and also the still non-existent recognition of the so-called Kosovo as an independent state by five EU members.