Vuletic: Serbia Gained a Reliable Friend and Protector on the European Scene in France

Sociologist Vladimir Vuletic assessed that the visit of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to France is important because, in this way, Serbia has gained a reliable friend and protector on the European scene who will be able to bring Serbian positions closer and ensure that these positions are considered as well as those of others. Regarding the differing views of Serbia and France on the issue of Kosovo, Vuletic says that gaining a political friend does not mean finding a magic wand with which all wishes can be fulfilled.

Vuletic told Kosovo Online that in Serbia, it is constantly emphasized that our biggest problem is the lack of a political protector on the European scene, or in the West, and notes that Russia, especially in terms of the United Nations, and China to some extent, have played the role of political protector.

However, he adds, there was no political protector in the West where essential decisions concerning Serbia and all the problems existing in the region are made.

"What is most important about this visit is that Serbia has thus gained a reliable friend, partner, protector. In the West and the EU, we practically had no one who could bring our positions closer, present them, and ensure our positions are considered as well as those of others. This is the most significant message of all this because it is now confirmed from various historical circumstances and because we have previously signed agreements with France, but now also through strengthening the personal friendship of the two presidents," Vuletic stated.

He adds that it seems Serbia and France have found a mutual interest for France to be the country through which Serbia can equally participate in political activities, especially those concerning it.

Regarding the messages about Kosovo heard from President Vucic and French President Emmanuel Macron, Vuletic says it's important to understand that having a political friend in this way does not mean that Serbia has "found a magic wand with which it could fulfill all its wishes."

"This just means that our stance will be heard, that our position will be equally respected as the positions of other countries. What is important, and what I am sure represents an insurmountable obstacle between our and French views of reality, is that we do not see Kosovo as an independent state, and it's hard to believe that anything will change there. However, independent of those status-principle matters, there's a lot happening in practice and many practical problems we've had because we had no one who could bring our policies to the agenda," he indicates.

He adds that France has already been bringing policies related to Serbia to the agenda and seems to him that it will now do so even more forcefully.

He notes that it must be considered that, regardless of everything, for Serbia's future, when talking about Kosovo as well as Republika Srpska, France somewhat represents a beacon of hope for Serbia because, regardless of how Serbia views the EU, under these circumstances, it primarily guarantees that there will be no new problems when it comes to other potential demands.

"When talking about internal stability, when talking about regional relations, having this kind of protection is very important, and it's also important that France insists on accelerating Serbia's EU accession process and that we will not be left on the sidelines and will not be a punching bag," says Vuletic.

He also finds it interesting that this way can eliminate, as he says, suspicions in the region that Serbia is an extended arm of Russia.

"This will create a kind of doubt in public. France and especially President Macron may have the firmest stance towards Moscow, but this greatly gives us an alibi and frees us from that kind of suspicion that many here spread, which is that Serbia is Russia's extended arm in the Balkans, waiting just for an opportunity for something to change, happen, and then to stab the West in the back. Remember that Kurti, as well as other regional leaders, often highlight this kind of story as their main argument, which has been unrealistic so far, but this way, we actually get that kind of confirmation that it's an unrealistic story," he emphasizes.

Speaking about the agreements reached in the defense industry sector, Vuletic points out that it has become clear over the last decade that a country that does not take care of its own security cannot expect to be respected in any way in international circumstances.

Also, as he says, realpolitik dictates the need to be mindful of one's own security.

Commenting on the purchase of highly sophisticated "rafal" aircraft, Vuletic points out that on one hand, Serbia secures what is in her interest, a plan for security, and on the other hand, it strengthens its connection with France in this field.

He notes that security, economy, and politics are difficult to separate, but from an analytical standpoint, it can be said that economically, Serbia greatly benefits from this visit, and there is a mutual interest.

In that sense, he also mentions some of the most important infrastructure projects such as the construction of the Belgrade metro or the "Nikola Tesla" airport.

Vuletic notes that French companies have shown on a global level that they are leaders in this and emphasizes the significance of their presence in Serbia, as well as the importance for them to expand their influence and operational space.