The multi-vector nature of Serbia's foreign policy: content, meaning, prospects

Abstract

The Republic of Serbia throughout its history has sought to pursue an independent multi-vector foreign policy. The favorable geographical position in the very center of the Balkan Peninsula allowed the Serbs to remain a key link between East and West. But today Belgrade is facing unprecedented pressure from the US and its allies in Europe. Washington and Brussels are striving to implement the scenarios of other states of the former Yugoslavia and fi nally deprive Serbia of the opportunity to pursue an independent foreign and domestic policy. Such an outcome threatens not only the state interests of Serbia, as well as Belgrade's ties with Moscow. However, in the conditions of diametrically opposed positions with the West on a number of key issues, Belgrade is developing successful and effective economic cooperation with the United States and the European Union, combining it with close and mutually benefi cial partnership with Russia and China. The multi-vector approach is dictated primarily by the strategic importance of each of the Serbian foreign policy partners in the fi elds of economy, energy, science, infrastructure or security. A change in Belgrade's political course could lead to serious consequences both in Serbia itself and in the region.