NATO AND SERBIA
NATO AND SERBIA

Author(s): Igor Novaković
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, Security and defense, EU-Approach / EU-Accession / EU-Development
Published by: ISAC - Centar za međunarodne i bezbednosne poslove
Keywords: NATO–Serbia Relations; Partnership for Peace (PfP); Euro-Atlantic Integration; Military Neutrality; Security Sector Reform; Regional Security Cooperation; Foreign Policy
Summary/Abstract: The interview of Serbia’s Minister of Defence Dragan Šutanovac to the Belgrade daily (Press 09. January 2010), which linked the adoption of the European value system in Serbia to the Euro-Atlantic security system, was perceived in public as a prelude to Serbia’s pursuit of membership into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). In an attempt to prevent the current political elite “to push for NATO membership behind the citizens` backs” the “200 Serbian intellectuals” called for a referendum on this matter and opened discussion about NATO in Serbia. This initiative opened the public debate about NATO in Serbia. The most often used arguments during the debate were: (1) necessity of a democratic debate for undertaking such an important step followed by a public referendum; (2) the issue of self-proclaimed “neutrality” of Serbia; (3) endangering of our relations with Russia.

• Details
• Contents