Serbia |
This article is part of the series: |
|
Judiciary
Foreign relations
|
Other countries · Atlas |
Foreign relations of Serbia are accomplished by efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Serbia has inherited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with all of its holdings, after the dissolution of the previous state union with Montenegro. Serbian foreign ministries continue to serve citizens of the Republic of Montenegro in countries that do not have Montenegrin diplomatic presence. The governments of Serbia and Montenegro expressed an interest in pursuing a common foreign policy. President of Serbia Boris Tadić referred to European Union (EU), Russia, United States and China as four pillars of foreign policy.[1] Serbia joined the United Nations on November 1, 2000.
Contents |
Bosnia and Herzegovina has an embassy in Belgrade. Serbia has an embassy in Sarajevo and a consulate-general in Banja Luka. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). Also both countries are recognized as potential candidate countries by the EU.
Both countries established diplomatic relations on September 9, 1996. Croatia has an embassy in Belgrade and a general consulate in Subotica. Serbia has an embassy in Zagreb and two general consulates (in Rijeka and Vukovar). There are around 200,000 people of Serbian descent living in Croatia and around 70,000 Croats living in Serbia.
On February 17, 2008, the former province of Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia, forming the Republic of Kosovo in the process. Serbia, Russia, China, Spain, India, Brazil, South Africa, Argentina, Algeria, Belarus, Palestine, Bolivia, Greece, Ukraine, Romania, Pakistan, Indonesia and many others do not recognize Kosovo as an independent state. Serbia has vowed to fight Kosovo's admission to international organizations. The Republic of Kosovo does not have and has not applied for United Nations membership as of yet. As of 30 December 2011, 86 United Nations member states and Taiwan recognize Kosovo as an independent state. But still, with the strong and firm opposition of both Russia and China and their allies, Kosovo has no current prospects of ever becoming a member of the United Nations at all.[2]
Serbia, in response to nations which have recognized Kosovo as an independent nation, has consistently recalled its ambassadors to these nations in an act of protest.[3] These countries who have recognized include the United States, Albania, Bulgaria, Colombia, Croatia, France, Germany, Hungary, Turkey, Slovenia and the United Kingdom.
Montenegro has an embassy in Belgrade. Serbia has an embassy in Podgorica and a Consulate-General in Herceg Novi.
The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia that was formed in 1992 by the remaining Yugoslav republics Montenegro and Serbia established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Macedonia on 8 April 1996.[4] The establishment of bilateral relations has been done under Macedonia's constitutional name - Republic of Macedonia.[5] Serbia therefore is one of 125 countries in the world recognizing Macedonia under the constitutional name.[6] Macedonia has an embassy in Belgrade, while Serbia's embassy is located in Skopje.
Multilateral regional co-operation falls within the priorities of foreign policy and international relations of Serbia as an instrument and substance of its co-operation with neighbours in the region and within the context of the Serbia inclusion in European integrations, Euro-Atlantic structures and EU.
In the context of Serbia inclusion in multilateral economic and political relations and integrations as well as in the context of globalization, the relations and co-operation of regional character are of importance in the field of liberalization of trade and further affirmation of market economy and free trade. In that respect, the efforts to turn the region of South Eastern Europe into a free trade zone in which Serbia is actively participating through bilateral negotiations with neighbours and in the region (free trade agreements with Macedonia, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as negotiations with Croatia, Bulgaria, Slovenia and Albania), are of particular importance. Serbia enjoys relatively good relations with its neighbouring countries. The border with Bosnia and Herzegovina along the Drina River continues to be an issue, whilst the issue of independence for Kosovo is of particular concern to Serbia.
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Austria |
|
|
Albania | See Albanian–Serbian relations | |
Bulgaria | See Bulgaria–Serbia relations
|
|
Czech Republic | See Foreign relations of the Czech Republic | |
Greece | See Greek–Serbian relations
Friendly relations have played an important role in bilateral relations between the two nations, especially during the wars of the 1990s and the Balkans Campaign[15] in World War I. Due to the strong historical friendship and the deep cultural and religious ties between the two nations, Greece and Serbia enjoy historically, religiously and culturally close ties which are confirmed by a regular political dialogue. Greece is the top investor in Serbian economy[16] and during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, Greece openly expressed its disapproval and polls revealed that 94% of the Greek population were completely opposed to the bombing.[17] Council of State, Greek Supreme Court, found NATO guilty for war crimes.[18] |
|
Moldova | 1995 | See Moldova–Serbia relations
|
Romania | See Romania–Serbia relations | |
Russia | See Russia–Serbia relations
|
|
Slovakia | 1993 | See Serbia–Slovakia relations
|
Ukraine | 1994-04-15 | See Serbia–Ukraine relations
|
Serbia has signed the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union on 29 April 2008 and is to seek the status of a candidate country to join the EU once the national parliament has ratified the SAA.
Serbia enjoys good relations with the Middle East, these are inherited by the independent Serbia from its time as hub of a federation (i.e., Yugoslavia) which were very strong from times of the Non-Aligned Movement during the 1960s. Israel, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Egypt are important economic partners with Serbia, as Israel invests in the Serbian construction industry and Egypt is a large market for Zastava automobiles. Serbia also has an important security agreement with Iran,[41] who is also an important economical and political partner for Serbia. Serbia also maintains diplomatic relations with the Palestinian National Authority. Serbia also wishes to intensify relations with the CCASG countries, namely Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Iran | ||
Iraq | See Foreign relations of Iraq | |
Israel | 1991 |
|
Palestine |
Main article: Serbia-Palestine relations
Relations between Serbia and Palestine have been very close and friendly. The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was one of the first countries that had recognized Palestine in November 1988 and its successor Serbia kept the close relations with Palestine and favored a Two-State solution. Palestine for its part, has refused to recognize the independence of Kosovo.[44][45] |
|
Saudi Arabia | 2004 |
|
Syria |
|
Serbia has excellent relations with countries such as the People's Republic of China, Japan, Singapore and South Korea. These four countries are important economical partners for Serbia in Asia.
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
India | See Foreign relations of India | |
Indonesia |
Indonesia has very close relations with Serbia, especially within the fields of trade, culture and tourism. Indonesia has also voiced support for Serbia's territorial integrity over the Kosovo issue.[48] |
|
Japan | 1997-05-20 | See Japan–Serbia relations |
Malaysia |
Entry to Malaysia was refused to all Serbian passport holders until 2007, unless they were in possession of a letter of approval from Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs.[53] Citizens of Serbia and Montenegro were banned from participating in Malaysia My Second Home program.[54] However, in August 2008, senior officials of Serbia and Malaysia held their first diplomatic meeting since 1991. Afterwards, Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić said that establishing an embassy in Malaysia was a possibility, bilateral agreements between the two nations would be signed, and Malaysia has removed all visa restrictions for Serbian citizens. This meant that now only the citizens of Israel were banned from participating in Malaysia My Second Home program.[55] Two months later in October 2008, Malaysia recognized Kosovo as an independent state.[56] Malaysia's decision has harmed relations between the two countries and it no longer appears likely that any bilateral agreements will be signed. |
|
South Korea | See South Korea-Serbia relations
South Korea has an embassy in Belgrade |
|
Pakistan | See Pakistan–Serbia relations
Pakistan considers Serbia to be a very important country and that the relations between the two states are warm and friendly.[57] |
|
People's Republic of China | See People's Republic of China – Serbia relations
China has always traditionally had very warm and close relations with Belgrade since the establishing of diplomatic relations in 1955.[58] |
|
Thailand |
|
|
Vietnam |
|
Many of the North African countries (Algeria, Libya, Tunisia and Morocco) enjoy good relations with Serbia and are important trading partners. Tunisia is a hugely popular tourist destination for Serbs as there is no visa required for Serb nationals entering the country.
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Egypt |
|
|
Libya | See Libya–Serbia relations
|
|
Tunisia |
|
Ever since the times of Josip Broz Tito and the Non-Aligned Movement, Serbia has enjoyed excellent relations with African nations. South Africa is Serbia's closest ally in Africa and the two nations have had excellent relations since the signing of diplomatic relations in 1992 following the end of the Apartheid system. South Africa is also home to around 20 000 Serbs mainly living in the Johannesburg area.[62] South Africa is also voicing support for Serbia over the Kosovo issue.[63] Nelson Mandela has also been made an honorary citizen of Belgrade.[64] Serbia is also actively involved in many investments in Angola with whom it has excellent political and economic relations.
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
South Africa | 1992-04-02 |
Main article: South Africa–Serbia relations
|
Serbia has very good relations with Latin America, except Colombia, which did recognize Kosovo's independence. Brazil, the largest country in the region, decided not to recognize Kosovo's independence until an agreement with Serbia is reached.[66] See also Brazil-Serbia relations
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Argentina | See Argentina–Serbia relations
|
|
Canada | See Foreign relations of Canada | |
Mexico | May 24, 1946 | See Mexico–Serbia relations
|
Peru |
|
|
United States | See Serbia – United States relations
Prior to World War I and creation of Yugoslavia, Serbia and the US enjoyed excellent relations. Bilateral relations between Serbia and the United States were established in 1882. At the outset of hostilities between NATO and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in the spring of 1999, the United States and Yugoslavia severed diplomatic relations. After the overthrow of the Milosevic government in October 2000, the following month the United States reestablished a diplomatic presence. The U.S. Embassy formally reopened in May 2001. The Serbian Embassy in Washington and the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade have reestablished bilateral relations and provide a full range of consular services. In February 2008 Serbia recalled its ambassador from the United States, following the U.S. recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo. The US established full diplomatic relations at Ambassador level with the Republic of Kosovo, which broke away from Serbia in February 2008.[71] |
|
Venezuela | See also Foreign relations of Venezuela
|
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Australia | See Australia–Serbia relations
|
|
New Zealand |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|