Thewesternbalkans
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has stated that he will consider the possibility of participating in a BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia in October this year.
The BRICS economic alliance consists of: Brazil, Russia, India, China, the Republic of South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates while Serbia is a candidate for membership in the European Union.
However, President Vučić has previously stated that Serbia may face a choice between the European Union and BRICS in the future.
Russia holds the BRICS presidency in 2024. The program of its presidency includes more than 200 different events, the central one being the summit of BRICS leaders in Kazan in October.
Comment: Serbia’s flirting with BRICS is part of its strategy to balance relations to the EU and NATO. Participation in BRICS would also give Serbia the justification to maintain ties with Russia and China. Belgrade’s orientation towards BRICS is also motivated by former Yugoslavia’s traditional ties with Third World countries and the experience of its role in the Non-Aligned Movement.
