81 456
Forty-two percent of Serbian citizens see Russia as Serbia’s most supportive partner, compared to 14 percent for the EU and 12 percent for China. Public Opinion Survey of 1,050 Serbian Adults, Sept. 2017 (unpublished. While 49 percent of Serbian citizens supported joining the EU in September 2017, that number drops to only 28 percemt if joining the EU meant spoiling Serbia’s relationship with Russia Public Opinion Survey of 1,050 Serbian Adults, Sept. 2017 (unpublished. Serbian Defense Minister Denounces US. Official’s
Unfriendly Remarks Radio Free Eu-rope/Radio Free Liberty, Oct. 24, 2017.
459
Ibid. 460
Ibid. 461
‘‘EU Opens New Negotiation Chapters With Montenegro, Serbia
Radio Free Europe Radio Free Liberty, Dec. 11, 2017.
SERBIA
Russian malign influence in the Republic of Serbia manifests itself through cultural ties, propaganda, energy, and an expanding defense relationship. Moscow also highlights deep roots between the countries through the Orthodox Church and a shared Slavic culture. This narrative has been carefully cultivated over the years such that Russian government disinformation campaigns find very fertile ground among the population of Serbia.
456
Despite its close relationship with Moscow, the government of Serbia has made clear that its top priority is joining the European Union. Serbia’s desire to maintain good relations with both the EU and Russia is reflective of public opinion,
but may not be sustainable, as deeper integration may mean adopting EU decisions that run counter to Russian interests.
457
Therefore, closer ties between Serbia and the EU could result in a significant surge in Russian malign influence in the country. The government of Serbia has done little to prepare for this eventuality and has taken few discernable actions to defend against Russian malign influence. Serbian government officials differing opinions on EU integration reflect a tension within the broader society itself. In remarks at the Serbian Economic Summit in Belgrade in October 2017, US. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Hoyt Brian Yee said that those countries who wished to join the European Union must very clearly demonstrate this desire Referring to Serbia’s longstanding relationship with Moscow, he said, You cannot sit on two chairs at the same time, especially if they are that far away.’’
458
The mixed reaction from the Serbian government to Yee’s remarks reflected the point that Yee was trying to make. Tanja Miscevic, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs negotiator on Serbia’s EU Accession bid, said that Yee’s statement was taken out of context and that he understood that Serbia’s clear foreign political strategic orientation was towards the EU.
459
Serbia’s
Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin, on the other hand, lashed out and said, This is not a statement made by a friend or a man respecting Serbia, our policy, and our right to make our own decisions He also said that Serbia will choose its course regardless of what the great powers want.
460
Serbia has made significant
progress in talks with the EU, having opened 12 out of the 35 chapters required for EU member- ship.
461
It also has the closest ties to Russia of any of the prospective candidates. And as it continues to make progress towards integration with Europe, there are signs that Moscow plans to increase pressure on the Balkan country to prevent this outcome. As Serbia s EU bid becomes more serious, Belgrade would be well served
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