Serbia's President Vucic visits France to buy warplanes

Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic is currently embarking on a two-day official visit to France, during which he is slated to discuss the procurement of 12 Rafale fighter aircraft and the establishment of a nuclear facility in the Balkan nation.

Analysts speculate that Serbia often reproached for its failure to enact sanctions against Russia, is endeavoring to assuage Western disapproval by procuring Rafale aircraft from France. 

Furthermore, there is speculation that Serbia seeks to fortify its stance in the Kosovo Crisis by acquiring armaments from Western nations sympathetic to Kosovo.

Nuclear energy also features prominently on agenda

Vucic convened with representatives from the French energy conglomerate Electricite de France (EDF) in Paris, where they inked a memorandum of understanding outlining potential collaboration in energy transition and low-carbon technologies.

Vucic underscored that the development of hydro and nuclear power in Serbia would bolster energy security and aid in meeting carbon emission targets, particularly given the burgeoning demand for electricity spurred by the electrification of transportation and advancements in artificial intelligence.

Although Serbia prohibited the development of nuclear energy subsequent to the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, Vucic signaled an intention to revise legislation, underscoring France's preeminence in civilian nuclear development, which accounts for more than 60% of its electricity generation.

Serbia, Kosovo tension on agenda

Both parties endorsed an accord in February 2023 to normalize relations, yet Serbia's progression toward EU integration faces impediments due to its reluctance to join sanctions against Russia and the escalating discord with Kosovo. 

France's President Emmanuel Macron is anticipated to emphasize the imperative of normalizing relations with Kosovo as a prerequisite for Serbia's EU integration trajectory.


Source: RFERL