Thewesternbalkans
Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić is representing Serbia at the NATO summit in Washington (9-11 July), marking NATO’s 75th anniversary.
Serbia’s foreign ministry hasn’t detailed Đurić’s engagements in Washington. However, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken hosted a dinner for NATO foreign ministers, which Đurić attended, symbolizing Serbia’s stance. Đurić’s presence is seen as significant by US Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill.
Although Marko Đurić was announced as a participant in the NATO Public Forum, he had not spoken at the event. The NATO Public Forum took place in parallel with the NATO Summit in Washington and served to promote NATO policies through the dialogue of numerous officials, organizations and other actors.
Serbian FM Marko Đurić met Hungarian FM Peter Szijjarto on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington, noting that preserving peace and stability in the region was a necessary prerequisite for its further political, economic and any other development.
On the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Washington M. Đurić met Claudia Teni, member of the US Congress and co-chair of the Serbian Caucus of the House of Representatives of the Congress.
Comment: The visit of Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić in Washington stated Serbia’s commitment to dialogue and cooperation with NATO, while sticking to military neutrality and national interests. Serbia differs from Western partners primarily over Kosovo’s independence and sanctions on Russia.
Serbia’s participation at the NATO Summit doesn’t signal a policy shift. President Aleksandar Vučić continues to balance relationships between Russia, China, and the West. NATO’s summit is another opportunity for Serbia to demonstrate its balancing act. Serbia has long cooperated with NATO through the Partnership for Peace program since 2006, indicating close ties despite maintaining military neutrality. Serbia’s NATO involvement is juxtaposed with recent meetings between Đurić and Russian officials, highlighting Serbia’s gratitude for Russia’s support on Kosovo. Despite Serbia’s Partnership for Peace with NATO, it remains an observer in the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization.
Although Serbia has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at the UN, it hasn’t joined EU and US sanctions against Russia.
In summary, while Serbia engages with NATO, its military neutrality and balancing act between East and West remain evident, with deep-rooted ties to Russia and ongoing regional security dynamics.
