The EU Global Strategy – A Possible Framework for Deepening Cooperation with the Republic of Serbia in the Defence Domain

: This paper deals with the research question of how the implementation process of A Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy in the area of security and defence affects a possible deepening of cooperation with the Republic of Serbia in the defence domain. The authors analyse the EU’s Implementation Plan on Security and Defence, the Commission’s European Defence Action Plan, and the EU-NATO Joint Declarations to identify opportunities for improvement of cooperation between the Republic of Serbia and the European Union. The tested general hypothesis within this research is the following: the EU Global Strategy implementation has a positive impact on defence cooperation with the Republic of Serbia, and also for engagement within the Common Security and Defence Policy, and provides concrete deliverables through several different ways thereby enhancing the integrative capacities for the EU membership. Taking into consideration the above-mentioned, this paper seeks to find out how the implementation of the EU Global Strategy can trigger deeper cooperation with the Republic of Serbia in the area of defence using: (1) actions proposed within the Implementation Plan on Security and Defence – such as to set capabilities development priorities, adjust structures, tools The paper presents findings of a study developed as a part of the research project “Serbia and challenges in international relations in 2020”, of Education, Science, and of the Republic of Serbia, and conducted Institute of International Politics and Security Challenges and the Place of the Balkans and Serbia in World and instruments as well as to take forward partnerships; (2) opportunities provided by the European Defence Action Plan for supporting investments in joint research and the joint development of defence equipment and technologies; and (3) facilities for cooperation with the European Union and NATO in the framework of EU-NATO Joint Declarations in the areas of hybrid threats, operational cooperation, cyber security, defence capabilities, industry and research, exercises and capacity building. Through a detailed analysis and modelling of different circumstances and factors, we can conclude that almost each of the above contents in certain segments provides positive conditions for enhanced cooperation between the Republic of Serbia and the European Union.