Serbia portal |
Foreign relations of Serbia are accomplished by efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Serbia has inherited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with all of its holdings, after the dissolution of the previous state union with Montenegro. Serbian foreign ministries continue to serve citizens of Montenegro in countries that do not have Montenegrin diplomatic presence. The governments of Serbia and Montenegro expressed an interest in pursuing a common foreign policy. Former President of Serbia Boris Tadić referred to relations with the European Union (EU), Russia, United States and China as the four pillars of foreign policy. [1] Serbia joined the United Nations on 1 November 2000.
In the centuries prior to Ottoman rule in the country, medieval Serbian states established diplomatic relations with a number of states in Europe and the Mediterranean, particularly under the Nemanjić dynasty, during which time the Serbian Empire reached its greatest extent. Serbian envoys regularly embarked on missions to states near and far, typically in large entourages bearing gifts for the foreign courts. One such embassy to the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt arrived in Cairo bearing gifts including five hawks, five falcons, four silver cups, and an extravagantly ornamental sword. Serbian diplomats of the time were mostly drawn from two groups; those sent to the Catholic West primarily hailed from noble families from the coastal cities of the Adriatic Sea, such as Kotor, Dubrovnik, and Bar, and those sent to the Orthodox East were frequently members of the clergy, like Saint Sava. Typically the rulers of these states would provide dwellings for the envoys and their entourages, as well as transportation. [2]
Serbia gained its partial independence from the Ottoman Empire in two uprisings in 1804 (led by Đorđe Petrović – Karađorđe) and 1815 (led by Miloš Obrenović), although Turkish troops continued to garrison the capital, Belgrade, until 1867. In 1817 the Principality of Serbia was granted de facto independence from the Ottoman Empire. [3] High officials in the Austro-Hungarian Empire lobbied for Ottoman approval of the liberal 1869 constitution for Serbia, which depended on the Porte for final approval. Vienna's strategy was that a liberal political system in Serbia would divert its impulse to foment nationalist unrest within its neighbors, and also delay its efforts to gain territory at the expense of the Ottoman Empire. [4]
The Autonomous Principality became an internationally recognized independent country following the Russo-Turkish War in 1878. Serbia remained a principality or kneževina (knjaževina), until 1882 when it became a Kingdom, during which the internal politics revolved largely around dynastic rivalry between the Obrenović and Karađorđević families.
In 1885, Serbia protested against the unification of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia. The Serbian king, Milan Obrenovic´ (1854–1901), who needed to divert attention away from his domestic problems, demanded that Bulgaria cede some of its territory to Serbia. The Great Powers discouraged him, but he declared war on Bulgaria on November 13, 1885. The Serbo-Bulgarian War ended on March 3, 1886. The Serbian army crossed the lightly defended northwest border of Bulgaria aiming to seize Sofia, the Bulgarian capital. The Bulgarian defenders defeated the invaders and then invaded Serbia. Vienna brokered a peace that restored the old status quo. Serbian casualties totaled 6,800, about triple the 2,300 Bulgarian total. The defeat forced Obrenovic to abdicate in March 1889, and the Serbian crown passed to a regency in the name of his son Alexander (1876–1903). [5]
Serbia had multiple national goals. [6] [7] [8] Serbian intellectuals dreamed of a South Slavic state—which in the 1920s became Yugoslavia. The large number of Serbs living in Bosnia looked to Serbia as the focus of their nationalism, but they were ruled by the Germans of the Austrian Empire. Austria's annexation of Bosnia in 1908 deeply alienated the Serbian peoples. Plotters swore revenge, which they achieved in 1914 by assassination of the Austrian heir. [9] Serbia was landlocked, and strongly felt the need for access to the Mediterranean, preferably through the Adriatic Sea. Austria worked hard to block Serbian access to the sea, for example by helping with the creation of Albania in 1912. Montenegro, Serbia's main ally, did have a small port, but Austrian territory intervened, blocking access until Serbia acquired Novi Pazar and part of Macedonia from the Ottoman Empire in 1913. To the south, Bulgaria blocked Serbian access to the Aegean Sea. [10] Serbia, Greece, Montenegro and Bulgaria formed the Balkan League and went to war with the Ottomans in 1912–1913. They won decisively and expelled that Empire from almost all of the Balkans. [11] The main remaining foe was Austria, which strongly rejected Pan-Slavism and Serbian nationalism and was ready to make war to end those threats. [12] Ethnic nationalism would doom the multicultural Austro-Hungarian Empire. Expansion of Serbia would block Austrian and German aspirations for direct rail connections to Constantinople and the Middle East. Serbia relied primarily on Russia for Great Power support but Russia was very hesitant at first to support Pan-Slavism, and counselled caution. However, in 1914 it reversed positions and promised military support to Serbia. [13]
The 28 June 1914 assassination of Austrian Crown Prince Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo, by Gavrilo Princip, a pro-Serbian member of Young Bosnia served as the basis for the Austrian declaration of war on Serbia on 28 July 1914. Vienna acted despite Serbia's acceptance three days earlier of nearly all of Vienna's demands. Vienna was convinced that Serbia was behind the plot in an effort to destabilize the multi-nation empire. [14] The Austro-Hungarian army invaded Serbia capturing Belgrade on 2 December 1914, however the Serbian Army successfully defended the country, won several victories, and on 15 December 1914 recaptured Belgrade. [15]
On 28 July 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Within days, long-standing mobilization plans went into effect to initiate invasions or guard against them and Russia, France and Britain stood arrayed against Austria and Germany in what at the time was called the "Great War", and was later named " World War I" or "First World War." Austria thought in terms of one small limited war involving just the two countries. It did not plan a wider war such as exploded in a matter of days.
British historian John Zametica argued that Austria-Hungary was primarily responsible for starting the war, as its leaders believed that a successful war against Serbia was the only way it could remain a Great Power, solve deep internal disputes caused by Hungarian demands, and regain influence in the Balkan states. [16] Others, most notably Prof. Christopher Clark, have argued that Austria-Hungary, confronted with a Serbia that seemed determined to incite continual unrest and ultimately acquire all of the "Serb" inhabited lands of the Monarchy (which, according to the Pan-Serb point of view included all of Croatia, Dalmatia, Bosnia, Hercegovina and some of the southern counties of the Hungary(roughly corresponding to today's Vojvodina), and whose military and government was intertwined with the irredentist terrorist group known as "The Black Hand," saw no practical alternative to the use of force in ending what amounted to subversion from Serbia directed at a large chunk of its territories. In this perspective, Austria had little choice but to credibly threaten war and force Serbian submission if it wished to remain a Great Power. [17]
List of countries which Serbia maintains diplomatic relations with:
# | Country | Date [18] |
---|---|---|
1 | United Kingdom | 30 January 1837 [19] |
2 | Russia | 23 February 1838 |
3 | France | 18 January 1839 [20] |
4 | Austria | 1874 |
5 | Bulgaria | 18 January 1879 |
6 | Greece | 18 January 1879 |
7 | Italy | 18 January 1879 |
8 | Romania | 26 April 1879 [21] |
9 | Turkey | 1879 |
10 | United States | 14 October 1881 |
11 | Portugal | 14 November 1882 [22] |
12 | Japan | 1882 |
13 | Paraguay | 17 February 1883 |
14 | Belgium | 15 March 1886 [23] |
15 | Netherlands | 26 April 1899 [24] |
16 | Cuba | 4 November 1902 |
17 | Uruguay | 19 February 1904 |
18 | Nicaragua | 23 February 1904 |
19 | Honduras | 1904 |
20 | Egypt | 1 February 1908 [25] |
21 | Dominican Republic | 1 March 1912 |
22 | Albania | 25 April 1914 |
23 | Spain | 14 October 1916 [26] [27] |
24 | Switzerland | 1916 |
25 | Norway | 9 March 1917 [28] |
26 | Denmark | 19 October 1917 [29] |
27 | Sweden | 1 November 1917 [30] |
28 | Czech Republic | 9 January 1919 [31] |
29 | Poland | 19 September 1919 [32] |
– | Holy See | 13 March 1920 |
30 | Hungary | June 1921 |
31 | Argentina | 29 February 1928 |
32 | Finland | 7 August 1929 [33] |
33 | Iran | 30 April 1937 |
34 | Brazil | 15 June 1938 |
35 | Canada | 30 May 1941 |
36 | Lebanon | 18 May 1946 [34] |
37 | Mexico | 28 May 1946 |
38 | Syria | 1946 |
39 | Pakistan | 15 May 1948 |
40 | Israel | 25 November 1948 [35] |
41 | India | 5 December 1948 |
42 | North Korea | 30 October 1950 |
43 | Chile | 2 November 1950 |
44 | Myanmar | 29 December 1950 |
45 | Germany | 8 December 1951 [36] |
46 | Jordan | 1951 |
47 | New Zealand | 1951 |
48 | Venezuela | 1 June 1951 [37] |
49 | Ethiopia | 4 March 1952 [38] |
50 | Bolivia | 1952 |
51 | Costa Rica | 1952 [39] |
52 | Iceland | 27 February 1953 [40] |
53 | Panama | 26 March 1953 [41] |
54 | Indonesia | 4 November 1954 |
55 | Thailand | 12 November 1954 [42] |
56 | Afghanistan | 30 December 1954 |
57 | China | 2 January 1955 |
58 | Libya | 2 October 1955 [43] |
59 | Ecuador | 10 January 1956 [44] |
60 | Cambodia | 15 July 1956 |
61 | Sudan | 13 September 1956 [45] |
62 | Mongolia | 20 November 1956 |
63 | Luxembourg | 1956 |
64 | Vietnam | 10 March 1957 |
65 | Morocco | 1 May 1957 |
66 | Sri Lanka | 14 October 1957 |
67 | Yemen | 28 December 1957 [46] |
68 | Tunisia | December 1957 [47] |
69 | Iraq | 23 July 1958 [48] |
70 | Ghana | 10 January 1959 [49] |
71 | Liberia | 15 September 1959 [50] |
72 | Nepal | 7 October 1959 |
73 | Guinea | 10 November 1959 [51] |
74 | Central African Republic | 1960 [52] |
75 | Cyprus | 7 October 1960 |
76 | Somalia | 8 September 1960 [53] |
77 | Mali | 4 November 1960 [54] |
78 | Togo | 7 November 1960 [55] |
79 | Nigeria | March 1961 [56] |
80 | Senegal | 31 May 1961 [57] |
81 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 1961 |
82 | Tanzania | 9 December 1961 [58] |
83 | Algeria | 2 July 1962 [25] |
84 | Benin | 3 July 1962 [59] |
85 | Laos | 25 November 1962 |
86 | Burundi | 1962 |
87 | Kuwait | 7 May 1963 |
88 | Uganda | 31 July 1963 [60] |
89 | Sierra Leone | 25 September 1963 [61] |
90 | Kenya | 12 December 1963 [62] |
91 | Republic of the Congo | 28 March 1964 |
92 | Mauritania | 12 June 1964 [63] |
93 | Zambia | 23 October 1964 [64] |
94 | Cameroon | 1965 |
95 | Gambia | 1965 |
96 | Chad | 1966 [65] |
97 | Australia | 25 April 1966 |
98 | Colombia | 20 December 1966 |
99 | Malaysia | 4 May 1967 [66] |
100 | Singapore | 22 August 1967 |
101 | Jamaica | 13 October 1968 [67] |
102 | Ivory Coast | 15 June 1968 [68] |
103 | Burkina Faso | 8 July 1968 [69] |
104 | Guyana | 5 November 1968 |
105 | Malta | 6 January 1969 |
106 | Peru | 12 December 1969 [70] |
107 | Equatorial Guinea | 18 May 1970 |
108 | Botswana | 5 September 1970 [71] |
109 | Mauritius | 6 October 1970 [72] |
110 | Madagascar | 4 June 1971 [73] |
111 | Rwanda | 15 June 1971 [74] |
112 | Bangladesh | 22 January 1972 [75] |
113 | Philippines | 10 March 1972 [76] |
114 | Niger | 17 March 1972 [77] |
115 | Lesotho | 1972 |
116 | Gabon | 4 October 1973 |
117 | Trinidad and Tobago | 25 March 1974 [78] |
118 | Oman | 4 May 1974 [79] |
119 | Guinea-Bissau | 10 May 1974 [80] |
120 | Maldives | 1 March 1975 |
121 | Mozambique | 10 June 1975 [81] |
122 | Angola | 12 November 1975 |
123 | Fiji | 1976 [82] |
124 | Papua New Guinea | 21 May 1976 |
125 | Suriname | 9 July 1976 |
126 | Seychelles | 1 August 1976 [83] |
127 | Comoros | 24 November 1976 |
128 | Cape Verde | 1976 |
129 | Barbados | 15 November 1977 [84] |
130 | Ireland | 1977 |
131 | Grenada | 29 June 1978 |
132 | Djibouti | 11 July 1978 |
133 | São Tomé and Príncipe | 4 February 1979 [85] |
134 | El Salvador | 16 December 1979 |
135 | Zimbabwe | 1980 |
136 | Haiti | 20 January 1984 [67] |
137 | Guatemala | 4 February 1987 [86] |
138 | Bahamas | July 1988 [87] |
– | State of Palestine | 5 April 1989 [88] |
139 | Bahrain | 18 August 1989 [89] |
140 | Qatar | 25 August 1989 [90] |
141 | South Korea | 27 December 1989 |
142 | Namibia | 21 March 1990 [91] |
143 | Eswatini | 1 June 1990 |
144 | South Africa | 2 April 1992 [92] |
145 | Slovakia | 1 January 1993 [93] |
146 | Ukraine | 15 April 1994 |
147 | Armenia | 8 July 1994 |
148 | Belarus | 15 November 1994 |
149 | Uzbekistan | 18 January 1995 |
150 | Moldova | 15 March 1995 |
151 | Georgia | 26 June 1995 |
152 | Tajikistan | 9 September 1995 |
153 | North Macedonia | 8 April 1996 |
154 | Turkmenistan | 26 August 1996 |
155 | Croatia | 9 September 1996 |
156 | Kazakhstan | 10 December 1996 |
157 | Azerbaijan | 21 August 1997 |
158 | Malawi | 13 February 1998 |
159 | Kyrgyzstan | 25 June 1998 |
160 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 15 December 2000 |
161 | Lithuania | 22 December 2000 [94] |
162 | Latvia | 19 January 2001 [39] |
163 | Estonia | 9 February 2001 [95] |
— | Sovereign Military Order of Malta | 11 May 2001 |
164 | Slovenia | 9 December 2001 [39] |
165 | San Marino | 14 February 2002 |
166 | Liechtenstein | 4 April 2003 |
167 | Montenegro | 22 June 2006 |
168 | United Arab Emirates | 21 March 2007 [39] |
169 | Andorra | 1 June 2007 |
170 | Monaco | 12 June 2007 [96] |
171 | Dominica | 22 April 2010 [39] |
172 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 26 May 2011 [39] |
173 | Brunei | 5 December 2011 [39] |
174 | Bhutan | 9 December 2011 [39] |
175 | South Sudan | 3 January 2012 |
176 | Eritrea | 19 October 2012 |
177 | Tonga | 22 February 2013 [97] |
178 | Saudi Arabia | 17 April 2013 [39] |
179 | Vanuatu | 27 August 2018 |
180 | Antigua and Barbuda | 28 September 2018 [39] |
181 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | 6 November 2018 |
182 | Palau | 7 December 2018 |
183 | Tuvalu | 4 April 2019 [39] |
184 | Belize | 24 September 2019 [39] |
185 | Nauru | 25 September 2019 |
186 | Saint Lucia | 13 November 2019 |
187 | Solomon Islands | 20 December 2021 |
188 | East Timor | 20 December 2021 [39] |
Serbia has not established diplomatic relations with Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, and Samoa.
Organization | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
European Union | See Accession of Serbia to the European Union | |
NATO | See Serbia–NATO relations |
Ever since the times of Josip Broz Tito and the Non-Aligned Movement, Serbia has enjoyed excellent relations with African nations. Angola, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and South Africa are Serbia's closest allies in Sub-Saharan Africa. South Africa and Serbia have had excellent relations since the signing of diplomatic relations in 1992 following the end of the Apartheid system. Many ANC and Umkhonto we Sizwe resistance fighters received training in Serbia during Apartheid. South Africa is also home to around 20,000 Serbs, mainly living in the Johannesburg area. [98] South Africa is also voicing support for Serbia over the Kosovo issue. [99] Nelson Mandela was also made an honorary citizen of Belgrade. [100] Serbia is also actively involved in many investments in Angola with whom it has excellent political and economic relations.
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Algeria | 1962 [101] | See Algeria-Serbia relations |
Angola | 1975 [104] |
|
Democratic Republic of the Congo | 1961 [105] |
|
Republic of the Congo | 1964 [106] |
Diplomatic relations between Republic of the Congo and Serbia were established in 1964. Diplomatic relations between Côte d'Ivoire and Serbia were established in 1968. |
Egypt | 1908 [107] | See
Egypt-Serbia relations
|
Eswatini | 1990 [109] |
|
Guinea | 1958 [111] |
|
Guinea-Bissau | 1975 [112] |
Diplomatic relations between Guinea-Bissau and Serbia were established in 1975. Guinea-Bissau supports Serbia's position regarding Kosovo, and prime minister Umaro Sissoco Embaló visited Belgrade in November 2017 to expand trade relations. [113] |
Kenya | 1963 [114] |
|
Libya | 1955 [115] | See
Libya–Serbia relations
|
Madagascar | 1960 [118] |
|
Mauritania | 1966 [119] |
Serbia is represented in Mauritania by its embassy in Rabat. [120] |
Morocco |
| |
Nigeria | 1960 [121] | |
Seychelles | 1977 [122] |
|
Somalia | 1960 [124] | |
South Africa | 1992 [125] |
See South Africa–Serbia relations
|
Zambia | 1964 [127] |
|
Zimbabwe | 1980 [128] |
|
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic | 1984 |
Yugoslavia recognized the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic on 28 November 1984. [131] Yugoslavia was the first country in Europe which formally recognized the independence of Sahrawi Republic after some of its allies from the Non-Aligned Movement pressured Belgrade to follow on its earlier policy when Yugoslavia was the first European country to recognize neighboring Algeria as well. [132] While formal relations were limited Yugoslavia extended certain development aid by providing education both for civilians and Polisario members. [133] Recognition was withdrawn on 26 October 2004. |
Serbia has strong but strained relations with the United States and a bit more relaxed relations with Canada, because of their hostile recognition of Kosovo's independence and NATO bombing from 1999, which aimed to help this secession. On 25 February 2008, Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica demanded that the United States rescind its recognition of Kosovo, warning that "there will be no stability until the fake state" is annulled. [134]
Serbia has very good relations with Latin America, except Colombia and Panama[ citation needed], which recognized Kosovo's independence.
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Argentina | 1928 [135] | See
Argentina–Serbia relations
|
Bahamas | 1988 [137] |
|
Brazil | 1938 [139] | See Brazil–Serbia relations |
Canada | 1941 [140] | See
Canada–Serbia relations
|
Chile | 1935 [144] |
|
Colombia | 1966 [146] |
|
Costa Rica | 1952 [148] |
|
Cuba | 1943 | See
Cuba–Serbia relations
Cuba and Serbia have a long history of diplomatic relations from the period of Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia when both countries were members of Non-Aligned Movement. Cuba supports Serbia in its stance towards Kosovo considering Kosovo's independence an illegitimate act and a violation of international law and principles of the United Nations Charter. [150] Serbia supports Cuba at the United Nations in condemning the United States embargo. [151] |
Guyana | 1968 [152] |
|
Mexico | 1946 [154] | See
Mexico–Serbia relations
|
Panama | 1953 [155] |
|
Peru | 1967 [157] |
|
Trinidad and Tobago | 1974 [158] |
|
United States | 1881 [160] | See
Serbia–United States relations
Prior to World War I and creation of Yugoslavia, Serbia and the US enjoyed excellent relations. Bilateral relations between Serbia and the United States were established in 1881. At the outset of hostilities between NATO and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in the spring of 1999, the United States and Yugoslavia severed diplomatic relations. After the overthrow of the Milosevic government in October 2000, the following month the United States reestablished a diplomatic presence. The U.S. Embassy formally reopened in May 2001. The Serbian Embassy in Washington and the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade have reestablished bilateral relations and provide a full range of consular services. In February 2008 Serbia recalled its ambassador from the United States, following the U.S. recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo. [161] |
Uruguay | 1950 [162] |
|
Venezuela | 1951 [164] | See
Serbia–Venezuela relations
|
Serbia has excellent relations with countries such as China, Indonesia, India, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, South Korea, Vietnam, and the United Arab Emirates. These countries are important economic partners for Serbia in Asia.
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Afghanistan | 1954 [166] |
|
Armenia | 1994 [167] | See
Armenia–Serbia relations
|
Azerbaijan | 1997 [168] | See
Azerbaijan–Serbia relations
|
Brunei | 2011 [169] |
|
Cambodia | 1956 [170] | |
China | 1955 [171] | See
China–Serbia relations
China has always traditionally had very warm and close relations with Belgrade since the establishing of diplomatic relations in 1955. [172] |
East Timor | 2012 [173] |
Serbia is represented in Timor by its embassy in Jakarta. [174] |
Georgia | 1995 [175] | [176] |
India | 1948 [179] | See
India–Serbia relations
|
Indonesia | 1954 [182] | See
Indonesia–Serbia relations
Indonesia has very close relations with Serbia, especially within the fields of trade, culture and tourism. Indonesia has also voiced support for Serbia's territorial integrity over the Kosovo issue. [183] |
Iran | 1937 [184] |
|
Iraq | 1958 [185] | |
Israel | 1948 [188] |
|
Japan | 1882 [191] | See Japan–Serbia relations |
Kazakhstan | 1996 [197] | |
Kuwait | 1963 [199] |
|
Kyrgyzstan | 1998 [201] |
|
Malaysia | 1967 [203] |
|
Myanmar | 1950 [205] | See
Myanmar-Serbia relations
|
Nepal | 1959 [207] |
|
North Korea | 1948 [209] | See
North Korea–Serbia relations
Serbia maintains friendly relations with North Korea. Relations between the two countries started in 1948 under the Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito. Relations between the two countries are still strong in both political and military terms. The North Korean embassy to Serbia is accredited to Sofia, Bulgaria. |
Oman | 1974 [210] |
|
Pakistan | 1948 [211] | See
Pakistan–Serbia relations
Pakistan considers Serbia to be a very important country and that the relations between the two states are warm and friendly. [212] |
Palestine | 1989 [213] | See
Palestine–Serbia relations
Relations between Serbia and the State of Palestine have been very close and friendly. The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was one of the first countries to recognize the State of Palestine on November 16, 1988, and its successor Serbia maintained close relations, favoring a Two-State solution. The Palestinian Authority for its part, has refused to recognize the independence of Kosovo. [214] [215] |
Philippines | 1972 [216] | |
Qatar | 1989 [219] |
|
Saudi Arabia | 2013 [220] |
|
Singapore | 1967 [221] |
Both countries have established diplomatic relations in 1967. |
South Korea | 1989 [222] | See
Serbia–South Korea relations
The establishment of diplomatic relations between Република Србија Serbia and the Republic of Korea began on 27 December 1989. |
Sri Lanka | 1957 [225] |
|
Syria | 1946 [227] |
|
Tajikistan | 1995 [229] |
|
Thailand | 1954 [231] |
|
Turkey | 1879 [233] | See
Serbia–Turkey relations
|
United Arab Emirates | 2007 [234] |
See Serbia–United Arab Emirates relations
|
Vietnam | 1957 [236] |
|
Serbia has signed the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union on 29 April 2008 and is in the process of the Republic of being admitted into the framework of the European Union as a full-fledged member state. Serbia officially applied for European Union membership on 22 December 2009, [237] and the European Commission recommended making it an official candidate on 12 October 2011. After the vote of the 27 EU foreign ministers on 28 February 2012, where with 26 votes for and 1 vote against, a candidate status recommendation was issued, and Serbia received full candidate status on 1 March. On 28 June 2013 the European Council endorsed the Council of Ministers conclusions and recommendations to open accession negotiations with Serbia. [238] [239] In December 2013 the Council of the European Union approved opening negotiations on Serbia's accession in January 2014, [240] and the first Intergovernmental Conference was held on 21 January at the European Council in Brussels. [241]
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 2000 [242] | See
Bosnia and Herzegovina–Serbia relations
Bosnia and Herzegovina has an embassy in Belgrade. Serbia has an embassy in Sarajevo and a consulate-general in Banja Luka. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). Serbia is an official candidate and Bosnia-Herzegovina is recognized as potential candidate country by the European Union. |
Croatia | 1996 [243] | See
Croatia–Serbia relations
The two countries established diplomatic relations on 9 September 1996. Croatia has an embassy in Belgrade and a general consulate in Subotica. Serbia has an embassy in Zagreb and two general consulates (in Rijeka and Vukovar). There are around 200,000 people of Serbian descent living in Croatia and around 70,000 people of Croatian descent living in Serbia. |
Kosovo | No diplomatic relations or recognition. | See
Kosovo–Serbia relations and
International recognition of Kosovo
On 17 February 2008, representatives of the Assembly of Kosovo unilaterally declared Kosovo independence. Serbia, Russia, China, India, Greece, Mexico, Romania, Spain, Brazil, South Africa, and many others do not recognize Kosovo as an independent state. Serbia considers the declaration of Kosovo's independence illegal and has vowed to fight Kosovo's admission to international organizations. The Republic of Kosovo does not have membership status in the United Nations. As of 4 September 2020, 114 United Nations member states and some non UN members like the Republic of China, Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Niue and the Cook Islands recognize Kosovo as an independent state, while the rest do not. Serbia, in response to nations which have recognized Kosovo as an independent nation, has consistently recalled its ambassadors to these nations. [244] |
North Macedonia | 1996 [245] | See
North Macedonia–Serbia relations
The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia that was formed in 1992 by the remaining Yugoslav republics Montenegro and Serbia established diplomatic relations with the Republic of North Macedonia on 8 April 1996. [246] The establishment of bilateral relations has been done under North Macedonia's former constitutional name – Republic of Macedonia. [247] Serbia therefore was one of 125 countries in the world recognizing Macedonia under the former constitutional name. [248] North Macedonia has an embassy in Belgrade, while Serbia's embassy is located in Skopje. |
Montenegro | 2006 [249] | See
Montenegro–Serbia relations
Montenegro has an embassy in Belgrade. Serbia has an embassy in Podgorica and a Consulate-General in Herceg Novi. |
Slovenia | 2000 [250] | See
Serbia–Slovenia relations
|
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Albania | 1914 [253] | See Albania–Serbia relations |
Austria | 1874 [256] | See
Austria–Serbia relations
|
Belarus | 1994 [261] | See
Belarus–Serbia relations
|
Belgium | 1886 [262] |
|
Bulgaria | 1879 [264] | See Bulgaria–Serbia relations |
Cyprus | 1960 [265] | See
Cyprus–Serbia relations
|
Czech Republic | 1918 [267] | See
Czech Republic – Serbia relations
|
Denmark | 1917 [269] | See
Denmark–Serbia relations
|
Estonia | 2001 [270] |
|
Finland | 1929 [271] | See
Finland–Serbia relations
|
France | 1839 [274] | See
France–Serbia relations
|
Germany | 1951 [277] | See
Germany–Serbia relations
|
Greece | 1879 [280] | See
Greece–Serbia relations
Friendly relations have played an important role in bilateral relations between the two nations, especially during the wars of the 1990s and the Balkans Campaign [281] in World War I. Due to the strong historical friendship and the deep cultural and religious ties between the two nations, Greece and Serbia enjoy historically, religiously and culturally close ties which are confirmed by a regular political dialogue. Greece is the top investor in Serbian economy [282] and during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, Greece openly expressed its disapproval and polls revealed that 94% of the Greek population were completely opposed to the bombing. [283] The more dramatic event was a People's Tribunal of over a 10.000 people in Athens, Greece, where the Greek Supreme Court declared president Clinton and NATO leaders guilty of war crimes. [284] |
Holy See | 1920 [285] | See Holy See–Serbia relations |
Hungary | 1921 [286] | See
Hungary–Serbia relations
|
Iceland | 2000 [290] |
|
Ireland | 1977 [292] |
|
Italy | 1879 [293] | See
Italy–Serbia relations and
Italy-Yugoslavia relations
|
Latvia | 1917 [295] |
|
Lithuania | 2000 [297] |
|
Malta | 1969 [299] | See
Malta–Serbia relations
|
Moldova | 1995 [301] |
|
Netherlands | 1891 [302] | See
Netherlands–Serbia relations
|
Norway | 1917 [305] | See
Norway–Serbia relations
|
Poland | 1919 [309] | See
Poland–Serbia relations
|
Portugal | 1882 [310] | See
Portugal–Serbia relations
|
Romania | 1879 [311] | See Romania–Serbia relations |
Russia | 1838 [312] | See
Russia–Serbia relations
Diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union were established on 24 June 1940, and Serbia and the Russian Federation recognize the continuity of all inter-State documents signed between the two countries. There are about 70 bilateral treaties, agreements and protocols signed in the past. Serbia and the Russian Federation have signed and ratified 43 bilateral agreements and treaties in diverse areas of mutual cooperation so far. [313] |
San Marino | 2002 [314] | See
San Marino–Serbia relations
|
Slovakia | 1918 [315] | See
Serbia–Slovakia relations
|
Spain | 1916 [318] | See
Serbia–Spain relations
|
Sweden | 1917 [321] | See
Serbia–Sweden relations
|
Switzerland | 1916 [323] | See
Serbia–Switzerland relations
|
Ukraine | 1994 [328] | See
Serbia–Ukraine relations
|
United Kingdom | 1837 [329] | See
Serbia–United Kingdom relations
|
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Australia | 1966 [332] | See
Australia–Serbia relations
|
New Zealand | 1951 [334] |
|
Palau | 2018 [337] |
Formal bilateral relations between the two states were established in 2018. January 2019 marked the first visit of President of Palau Thomas Remengesau Jr. to Belgrade. [338] [339] [340] |
{{
cite web}}
: |author=
has generic name (
help)
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
the fact that 125 countries in the world have recognised Macedonia's constitutional name is a clear signal that the country has international support
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
Serbia portal |
Foreign relations of Serbia are accomplished by efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Serbia has inherited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with all of its holdings, after the dissolution of the previous state union with Montenegro. Serbian foreign ministries continue to serve citizens of Montenegro in countries that do not have Montenegrin diplomatic presence. The governments of Serbia and Montenegro expressed an interest in pursuing a common foreign policy. Former President of Serbia Boris Tadić referred to relations with the European Union (EU), Russia, United States and China as the four pillars of foreign policy. [1] Serbia joined the United Nations on 1 November 2000.
In the centuries prior to Ottoman rule in the country, medieval Serbian states established diplomatic relations with a number of states in Europe and the Mediterranean, particularly under the Nemanjić dynasty, during which time the Serbian Empire reached its greatest extent. Serbian envoys regularly embarked on missions to states near and far, typically in large entourages bearing gifts for the foreign courts. One such embassy to the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt arrived in Cairo bearing gifts including five hawks, five falcons, four silver cups, and an extravagantly ornamental sword. Serbian diplomats of the time were mostly drawn from two groups; those sent to the Catholic West primarily hailed from noble families from the coastal cities of the Adriatic Sea, such as Kotor, Dubrovnik, and Bar, and those sent to the Orthodox East were frequently members of the clergy, like Saint Sava. Typically the rulers of these states would provide dwellings for the envoys and their entourages, as well as transportation. [2]
Serbia gained its partial independence from the Ottoman Empire in two uprisings in 1804 (led by Đorđe Petrović – Karađorđe) and 1815 (led by Miloš Obrenović), although Turkish troops continued to garrison the capital, Belgrade, until 1867. In 1817 the Principality of Serbia was granted de facto independence from the Ottoman Empire. [3] High officials in the Austro-Hungarian Empire lobbied for Ottoman approval of the liberal 1869 constitution for Serbia, which depended on the Porte for final approval. Vienna's strategy was that a liberal political system in Serbia would divert its impulse to foment nationalist unrest within its neighbors, and also delay its efforts to gain territory at the expense of the Ottoman Empire. [4]
The Autonomous Principality became an internationally recognized independent country following the Russo-Turkish War in 1878. Serbia remained a principality or kneževina (knjaževina), until 1882 when it became a Kingdom, during which the internal politics revolved largely around dynastic rivalry between the Obrenović and Karađorđević families.
In 1885, Serbia protested against the unification of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia. The Serbian king, Milan Obrenovic´ (1854–1901), who needed to divert attention away from his domestic problems, demanded that Bulgaria cede some of its territory to Serbia. The Great Powers discouraged him, but he declared war on Bulgaria on November 13, 1885. The Serbo-Bulgarian War ended on March 3, 1886. The Serbian army crossed the lightly defended northwest border of Bulgaria aiming to seize Sofia, the Bulgarian capital. The Bulgarian defenders defeated the invaders and then invaded Serbia. Vienna brokered a peace that restored the old status quo. Serbian casualties totaled 6,800, about triple the 2,300 Bulgarian total. The defeat forced Obrenovic to abdicate in March 1889, and the Serbian crown passed to a regency in the name of his son Alexander (1876–1903). [5]
Serbia had multiple national goals. [6] [7] [8] Serbian intellectuals dreamed of a South Slavic state—which in the 1920s became Yugoslavia. The large number of Serbs living in Bosnia looked to Serbia as the focus of their nationalism, but they were ruled by the Germans of the Austrian Empire. Austria's annexation of Bosnia in 1908 deeply alienated the Serbian peoples. Plotters swore revenge, which they achieved in 1914 by assassination of the Austrian heir. [9] Serbia was landlocked, and strongly felt the need for access to the Mediterranean, preferably through the Adriatic Sea. Austria worked hard to block Serbian access to the sea, for example by helping with the creation of Albania in 1912. Montenegro, Serbia's main ally, did have a small port, but Austrian territory intervened, blocking access until Serbia acquired Novi Pazar and part of Macedonia from the Ottoman Empire in 1913. To the south, Bulgaria blocked Serbian access to the Aegean Sea. [10] Serbia, Greece, Montenegro and Bulgaria formed the Balkan League and went to war with the Ottomans in 1912–1913. They won decisively and expelled that Empire from almost all of the Balkans. [11] The main remaining foe was Austria, which strongly rejected Pan-Slavism and Serbian nationalism and was ready to make war to end those threats. [12] Ethnic nationalism would doom the multicultural Austro-Hungarian Empire. Expansion of Serbia would block Austrian and German aspirations for direct rail connections to Constantinople and the Middle East. Serbia relied primarily on Russia for Great Power support but Russia was very hesitant at first to support Pan-Slavism, and counselled caution. However, in 1914 it reversed positions and promised military support to Serbia. [13]
The 28 June 1914 assassination of Austrian Crown Prince Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo, by Gavrilo Princip, a pro-Serbian member of Young Bosnia served as the basis for the Austrian declaration of war on Serbia on 28 July 1914. Vienna acted despite Serbia's acceptance three days earlier of nearly all of Vienna's demands. Vienna was convinced that Serbia was behind the plot in an effort to destabilize the multi-nation empire. [14] The Austro-Hungarian army invaded Serbia capturing Belgrade on 2 December 1914, however the Serbian Army successfully defended the country, won several victories, and on 15 December 1914 recaptured Belgrade. [15]
On 28 July 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Within days, long-standing mobilization plans went into effect to initiate invasions or guard against them and Russia, France and Britain stood arrayed against Austria and Germany in what at the time was called the "Great War", and was later named " World War I" or "First World War." Austria thought in terms of one small limited war involving just the two countries. It did not plan a wider war such as exploded in a matter of days.
British historian John Zametica argued that Austria-Hungary was primarily responsible for starting the war, as its leaders believed that a successful war against Serbia was the only way it could remain a Great Power, solve deep internal disputes caused by Hungarian demands, and regain influence in the Balkan states. [16] Others, most notably Prof. Christopher Clark, have argued that Austria-Hungary, confronted with a Serbia that seemed determined to incite continual unrest and ultimately acquire all of the "Serb" inhabited lands of the Monarchy (which, according to the Pan-Serb point of view included all of Croatia, Dalmatia, Bosnia, Hercegovina and some of the southern counties of the Hungary(roughly corresponding to today's Vojvodina), and whose military and government was intertwined with the irredentist terrorist group known as "The Black Hand," saw no practical alternative to the use of force in ending what amounted to subversion from Serbia directed at a large chunk of its territories. In this perspective, Austria had little choice but to credibly threaten war and force Serbian submission if it wished to remain a Great Power. [17]
List of countries which Serbia maintains diplomatic relations with:
# | Country | Date [18] |
---|---|---|
1 | United Kingdom | 30 January 1837 [19] |
2 | Russia | 23 February 1838 |
3 | France | 18 January 1839 [20] |
4 | Austria | 1874 |
5 | Bulgaria | 18 January 1879 |
6 | Greece | 18 January 1879 |
7 | Italy | 18 January 1879 |
8 | Romania | 26 April 1879 [21] |
9 | Turkey | 1879 |
10 | United States | 14 October 1881 |
11 | Portugal | 14 November 1882 [22] |
12 | Japan | 1882 |
13 | Paraguay | 17 February 1883 |
14 | Belgium | 15 March 1886 [23] |
15 | Netherlands | 26 April 1899 [24] |
16 | Cuba | 4 November 1902 |
17 | Uruguay | 19 February 1904 |
18 | Nicaragua | 23 February 1904 |
19 | Honduras | 1904 |
20 | Egypt | 1 February 1908 [25] |
21 | Dominican Republic | 1 March 1912 |
22 | Albania | 25 April 1914 |
23 | Spain | 14 October 1916 [26] [27] |
24 | Switzerland | 1916 |
25 | Norway | 9 March 1917 [28] |
26 | Denmark | 19 October 1917 [29] |
27 | Sweden | 1 November 1917 [30] |
28 | Czech Republic | 9 January 1919 [31] |
29 | Poland | 19 September 1919 [32] |
– | Holy See | 13 March 1920 |
30 | Hungary | June 1921 |
31 | Argentina | 29 February 1928 |
32 | Finland | 7 August 1929 [33] |
33 | Iran | 30 April 1937 |
34 | Brazil | 15 June 1938 |
35 | Canada | 30 May 1941 |
36 | Lebanon | 18 May 1946 [34] |
37 | Mexico | 28 May 1946 |
38 | Syria | 1946 |
39 | Pakistan | 15 May 1948 |
40 | Israel | 25 November 1948 [35] |
41 | India | 5 December 1948 |
42 | North Korea | 30 October 1950 |
43 | Chile | 2 November 1950 |
44 | Myanmar | 29 December 1950 |
45 | Germany | 8 December 1951 [36] |
46 | Jordan | 1951 |
47 | New Zealand | 1951 |
48 | Venezuela | 1 June 1951 [37] |
49 | Ethiopia | 4 March 1952 [38] |
50 | Bolivia | 1952 |
51 | Costa Rica | 1952 [39] |
52 | Iceland | 27 February 1953 [40] |
53 | Panama | 26 March 1953 [41] |
54 | Indonesia | 4 November 1954 |
55 | Thailand | 12 November 1954 [42] |
56 | Afghanistan | 30 December 1954 |
57 | China | 2 January 1955 |
58 | Libya | 2 October 1955 [43] |
59 | Ecuador | 10 January 1956 [44] |
60 | Cambodia | 15 July 1956 |
61 | Sudan | 13 September 1956 [45] |
62 | Mongolia | 20 November 1956 |
63 | Luxembourg | 1956 |
64 | Vietnam | 10 March 1957 |
65 | Morocco | 1 May 1957 |
66 | Sri Lanka | 14 October 1957 |
67 | Yemen | 28 December 1957 [46] |
68 | Tunisia | December 1957 [47] |
69 | Iraq | 23 July 1958 [48] |
70 | Ghana | 10 January 1959 [49] |
71 | Liberia | 15 September 1959 [50] |
72 | Nepal | 7 October 1959 |
73 | Guinea | 10 November 1959 [51] |
74 | Central African Republic | 1960 [52] |
75 | Cyprus | 7 October 1960 |
76 | Somalia | 8 September 1960 [53] |
77 | Mali | 4 November 1960 [54] |
78 | Togo | 7 November 1960 [55] |
79 | Nigeria | March 1961 [56] |
80 | Senegal | 31 May 1961 [57] |
81 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 1961 |
82 | Tanzania | 9 December 1961 [58] |
83 | Algeria | 2 July 1962 [25] |
84 | Benin | 3 July 1962 [59] |
85 | Laos | 25 November 1962 |
86 | Burundi | 1962 |
87 | Kuwait | 7 May 1963 |
88 | Uganda | 31 July 1963 [60] |
89 | Sierra Leone | 25 September 1963 [61] |
90 | Kenya | 12 December 1963 [62] |
91 | Republic of the Congo | 28 March 1964 |
92 | Mauritania | 12 June 1964 [63] |
93 | Zambia | 23 October 1964 [64] |
94 | Cameroon | 1965 |
95 | Gambia | 1965 |
96 | Chad | 1966 [65] |
97 | Australia | 25 April 1966 |
98 | Colombia | 20 December 1966 |
99 | Malaysia | 4 May 1967 [66] |
100 | Singapore | 22 August 1967 |
101 | Jamaica | 13 October 1968 [67] |
102 | Ivory Coast | 15 June 1968 [68] |
103 | Burkina Faso | 8 July 1968 [69] |
104 | Guyana | 5 November 1968 |
105 | Malta | 6 January 1969 |
106 | Peru | 12 December 1969 [70] |
107 | Equatorial Guinea | 18 May 1970 |
108 | Botswana | 5 September 1970 [71] |
109 | Mauritius | 6 October 1970 [72] |
110 | Madagascar | 4 June 1971 [73] |
111 | Rwanda | 15 June 1971 [74] |
112 | Bangladesh | 22 January 1972 [75] |
113 | Philippines | 10 March 1972 [76] |
114 | Niger | 17 March 1972 [77] |
115 | Lesotho | 1972 |
116 | Gabon | 4 October 1973 |
117 | Trinidad and Tobago | 25 March 1974 [78] |
118 | Oman | 4 May 1974 [79] |
119 | Guinea-Bissau | 10 May 1974 [80] |
120 | Maldives | 1 March 1975 |
121 | Mozambique | 10 June 1975 [81] |
122 | Angola | 12 November 1975 |
123 | Fiji | 1976 [82] |
124 | Papua New Guinea | 21 May 1976 |
125 | Suriname | 9 July 1976 |
126 | Seychelles | 1 August 1976 [83] |
127 | Comoros | 24 November 1976 |
128 | Cape Verde | 1976 |
129 | Barbados | 15 November 1977 [84] |
130 | Ireland | 1977 |
131 | Grenada | 29 June 1978 |
132 | Djibouti | 11 July 1978 |
133 | São Tomé and Príncipe | 4 February 1979 [85] |
134 | El Salvador | 16 December 1979 |
135 | Zimbabwe | 1980 |
136 | Haiti | 20 January 1984 [67] |
137 | Guatemala | 4 February 1987 [86] |
138 | Bahamas | July 1988 [87] |
– | State of Palestine | 5 April 1989 [88] |
139 | Bahrain | 18 August 1989 [89] |
140 | Qatar | 25 August 1989 [90] |
141 | South Korea | 27 December 1989 |
142 | Namibia | 21 March 1990 [91] |
143 | Eswatini | 1 June 1990 |
144 | South Africa | 2 April 1992 [92] |
145 | Slovakia | 1 January 1993 [93] |
146 | Ukraine | 15 April 1994 |
147 | Armenia | 8 July 1994 |
148 | Belarus | 15 November 1994 |
149 | Uzbekistan | 18 January 1995 |
150 | Moldova | 15 March 1995 |
151 | Georgia | 26 June 1995 |
152 | Tajikistan | 9 September 1995 |
153 | North Macedonia | 8 April 1996 |
154 | Turkmenistan | 26 August 1996 |
155 | Croatia | 9 September 1996 |
156 | Kazakhstan | 10 December 1996 |
157 | Azerbaijan | 21 August 1997 |
158 | Malawi | 13 February 1998 |
159 | Kyrgyzstan | 25 June 1998 |
160 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 15 December 2000 |
161 | Lithuania | 22 December 2000 [94] |
162 | Latvia | 19 January 2001 [39] |
163 | Estonia | 9 February 2001 [95] |
— | Sovereign Military Order of Malta | 11 May 2001 |
164 | Slovenia | 9 December 2001 [39] |
165 | San Marino | 14 February 2002 |
166 | Liechtenstein | 4 April 2003 |
167 | Montenegro | 22 June 2006 |
168 | United Arab Emirates | 21 March 2007 [39] |
169 | Andorra | 1 June 2007 |
170 | Monaco | 12 June 2007 [96] |
171 | Dominica | 22 April 2010 [39] |
172 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 26 May 2011 [39] |
173 | Brunei | 5 December 2011 [39] |
174 | Bhutan | 9 December 2011 [39] |
175 | South Sudan | 3 January 2012 |
176 | Eritrea | 19 October 2012 |
177 | Tonga | 22 February 2013 [97] |
178 | Saudi Arabia | 17 April 2013 [39] |
179 | Vanuatu | 27 August 2018 |
180 | Antigua and Barbuda | 28 September 2018 [39] |
181 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | 6 November 2018 |
182 | Palau | 7 December 2018 |
183 | Tuvalu | 4 April 2019 [39] |
184 | Belize | 24 September 2019 [39] |
185 | Nauru | 25 September 2019 |
186 | Saint Lucia | 13 November 2019 |
187 | Solomon Islands | 20 December 2021 |
188 | East Timor | 20 December 2021 [39] |
Serbia has not established diplomatic relations with Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, and Samoa.
Organization | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
European Union | See Accession of Serbia to the European Union | |
NATO | See Serbia–NATO relations |
Ever since the times of Josip Broz Tito and the Non-Aligned Movement, Serbia has enjoyed excellent relations with African nations. Angola, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and South Africa are Serbia's closest allies in Sub-Saharan Africa. South Africa and Serbia have had excellent relations since the signing of diplomatic relations in 1992 following the end of the Apartheid system. Many ANC and Umkhonto we Sizwe resistance fighters received training in Serbia during Apartheid. South Africa is also home to around 20,000 Serbs, mainly living in the Johannesburg area. [98] South Africa is also voicing support for Serbia over the Kosovo issue. [99] Nelson Mandela was also made an honorary citizen of Belgrade. [100] Serbia is also actively involved in many investments in Angola with whom it has excellent political and economic relations.
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Algeria | 1962 [101] | See Algeria-Serbia relations |
Angola | 1975 [104] |
|
Democratic Republic of the Congo | 1961 [105] |
|
Republic of the Congo | 1964 [106] |
Diplomatic relations between Republic of the Congo and Serbia were established in 1964. Diplomatic relations between Côte d'Ivoire and Serbia were established in 1968. |
Egypt | 1908 [107] | See
Egypt-Serbia relations
|
Eswatini | 1990 [109] |
|
Guinea | 1958 [111] |
|
Guinea-Bissau | 1975 [112] |
Diplomatic relations between Guinea-Bissau and Serbia were established in 1975. Guinea-Bissau supports Serbia's position regarding Kosovo, and prime minister Umaro Sissoco Embaló visited Belgrade in November 2017 to expand trade relations. [113] |
Kenya | 1963 [114] |
|
Libya | 1955 [115] | See
Libya–Serbia relations
|
Madagascar | 1960 [118] |
|
Mauritania | 1966 [119] |
Serbia is represented in Mauritania by its embassy in Rabat. [120] |
Morocco |
| |
Nigeria | 1960 [121] | |
Seychelles | 1977 [122] |
|
Somalia | 1960 [124] | |
South Africa | 1992 [125] |
See South Africa–Serbia relations
|
Zambia | 1964 [127] |
|
Zimbabwe | 1980 [128] |
|
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic | 1984 |
Yugoslavia recognized the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic on 28 November 1984. [131] Yugoslavia was the first country in Europe which formally recognized the independence of Sahrawi Republic after some of its allies from the Non-Aligned Movement pressured Belgrade to follow on its earlier policy when Yugoslavia was the first European country to recognize neighboring Algeria as well. [132] While formal relations were limited Yugoslavia extended certain development aid by providing education both for civilians and Polisario members. [133] Recognition was withdrawn on 26 October 2004. |
Serbia has strong but strained relations with the United States and a bit more relaxed relations with Canada, because of their hostile recognition of Kosovo's independence and NATO bombing from 1999, which aimed to help this secession. On 25 February 2008, Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica demanded that the United States rescind its recognition of Kosovo, warning that "there will be no stability until the fake state" is annulled. [134]
Serbia has very good relations with Latin America, except Colombia and Panama[ citation needed], which recognized Kosovo's independence.
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Argentina | 1928 [135] | See
Argentina–Serbia relations
|
Bahamas | 1988 [137] |
|
Brazil | 1938 [139] | See Brazil–Serbia relations |
Canada | 1941 [140] | See
Canada–Serbia relations
|
Chile | 1935 [144] |
|
Colombia | 1966 [146] |
|
Costa Rica | 1952 [148] |
|
Cuba | 1943 | See
Cuba–Serbia relations
Cuba and Serbia have a long history of diplomatic relations from the period of Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia when both countries were members of Non-Aligned Movement. Cuba supports Serbia in its stance towards Kosovo considering Kosovo's independence an illegitimate act and a violation of international law and principles of the United Nations Charter. [150] Serbia supports Cuba at the United Nations in condemning the United States embargo. [151] |
Guyana | 1968 [152] |
|
Mexico | 1946 [154] | See
Mexico–Serbia relations
|
Panama | 1953 [155] |
|
Peru | 1967 [157] |
|
Trinidad and Tobago | 1974 [158] |
|
United States | 1881 [160] | See
Serbia–United States relations
Prior to World War I and creation of Yugoslavia, Serbia and the US enjoyed excellent relations. Bilateral relations between Serbia and the United States were established in 1881. At the outset of hostilities between NATO and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in the spring of 1999, the United States and Yugoslavia severed diplomatic relations. After the overthrow of the Milosevic government in October 2000, the following month the United States reestablished a diplomatic presence. The U.S. Embassy formally reopened in May 2001. The Serbian Embassy in Washington and the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade have reestablished bilateral relations and provide a full range of consular services. In February 2008 Serbia recalled its ambassador from the United States, following the U.S. recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo. [161] |
Uruguay | 1950 [162] |
|
Venezuela | 1951 [164] | See
Serbia–Venezuela relations
|
Serbia has excellent relations with countries such as China, Indonesia, India, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, South Korea, Vietnam, and the United Arab Emirates. These countries are important economic partners for Serbia in Asia.
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Afghanistan | 1954 [166] |
|
Armenia | 1994 [167] | See
Armenia–Serbia relations
|
Azerbaijan | 1997 [168] | See
Azerbaijan–Serbia relations
|
Brunei | 2011 [169] |
|
Cambodia | 1956 [170] | |
China | 1955 [171] | See
China–Serbia relations
China has always traditionally had very warm and close relations with Belgrade since the establishing of diplomatic relations in 1955. [172] |
East Timor | 2012 [173] |
Serbia is represented in Timor by its embassy in Jakarta. [174] |
Georgia | 1995 [175] | [176] |
India | 1948 [179] | See
India–Serbia relations
|
Indonesia | 1954 [182] | See
Indonesia–Serbia relations
Indonesia has very close relations with Serbia, especially within the fields of trade, culture and tourism. Indonesia has also voiced support for Serbia's territorial integrity over the Kosovo issue. [183] |
Iran | 1937 [184] |
|
Iraq | 1958 [185] | |
Israel | 1948 [188] |
|
Japan | 1882 [191] | See Japan–Serbia relations |
Kazakhstan | 1996 [197] | |
Kuwait | 1963 [199] |
|
Kyrgyzstan | 1998 [201] |
|
Malaysia | 1967 [203] |
|
Myanmar | 1950 [205] | See
Myanmar-Serbia relations
|
Nepal | 1959 [207] |
|
North Korea | 1948 [209] | See
North Korea–Serbia relations
Serbia maintains friendly relations with North Korea. Relations between the two countries started in 1948 under the Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito. Relations between the two countries are still strong in both political and military terms. The North Korean embassy to Serbia is accredited to Sofia, Bulgaria. |
Oman | 1974 [210] |
|
Pakistan | 1948 [211] | See
Pakistan–Serbia relations
Pakistan considers Serbia to be a very important country and that the relations between the two states are warm and friendly. [212] |
Palestine | 1989 [213] | See
Palestine–Serbia relations
Relations between Serbia and the State of Palestine have been very close and friendly. The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was one of the first countries to recognize the State of Palestine on November 16, 1988, and its successor Serbia maintained close relations, favoring a Two-State solution. The Palestinian Authority for its part, has refused to recognize the independence of Kosovo. [214] [215] |
Philippines | 1972 [216] | |
Qatar | 1989 [219] |
|
Saudi Arabia | 2013 [220] |
|
Singapore | 1967 [221] |
Both countries have established diplomatic relations in 1967. |
South Korea | 1989 [222] | See
Serbia–South Korea relations
The establishment of diplomatic relations between Република Србија Serbia and the Republic of Korea began on 27 December 1989. |
Sri Lanka | 1957 [225] |
|
Syria | 1946 [227] |
|
Tajikistan | 1995 [229] |
|
Thailand | 1954 [231] |
|
Turkey | 1879 [233] | See
Serbia–Turkey relations
|
United Arab Emirates | 2007 [234] |
See Serbia–United Arab Emirates relations
|
Vietnam | 1957 [236] |
|
Serbia has signed the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union on 29 April 2008 and is in the process of the Republic of being admitted into the framework of the European Union as a full-fledged member state. Serbia officially applied for European Union membership on 22 December 2009, [237] and the European Commission recommended making it an official candidate on 12 October 2011. After the vote of the 27 EU foreign ministers on 28 February 2012, where with 26 votes for and 1 vote against, a candidate status recommendation was issued, and Serbia received full candidate status on 1 March. On 28 June 2013 the European Council endorsed the Council of Ministers conclusions and recommendations to open accession negotiations with Serbia. [238] [239] In December 2013 the Council of the European Union approved opening negotiations on Serbia's accession in January 2014, [240] and the first Intergovernmental Conference was held on 21 January at the European Council in Brussels. [241]
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 2000 [242] | See
Bosnia and Herzegovina–Serbia relations
Bosnia and Herzegovina has an embassy in Belgrade. Serbia has an embassy in Sarajevo and a consulate-general in Banja Luka. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). Serbia is an official candidate and Bosnia-Herzegovina is recognized as potential candidate country by the European Union. |
Croatia | 1996 [243] | See
Croatia–Serbia relations
The two countries established diplomatic relations on 9 September 1996. Croatia has an embassy in Belgrade and a general consulate in Subotica. Serbia has an embassy in Zagreb and two general consulates (in Rijeka and Vukovar). There are around 200,000 people of Serbian descent living in Croatia and around 70,000 people of Croatian descent living in Serbia. |
Kosovo | No diplomatic relations or recognition. | See
Kosovo–Serbia relations and
International recognition of Kosovo
On 17 February 2008, representatives of the Assembly of Kosovo unilaterally declared Kosovo independence. Serbia, Russia, China, India, Greece, Mexico, Romania, Spain, Brazil, South Africa, and many others do not recognize Kosovo as an independent state. Serbia considers the declaration of Kosovo's independence illegal and has vowed to fight Kosovo's admission to international organizations. The Republic of Kosovo does not have membership status in the United Nations. As of 4 September 2020, 114 United Nations member states and some non UN members like the Republic of China, Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Niue and the Cook Islands recognize Kosovo as an independent state, while the rest do not. Serbia, in response to nations which have recognized Kosovo as an independent nation, has consistently recalled its ambassadors to these nations. [244] |
North Macedonia | 1996 [245] | See
North Macedonia–Serbia relations
The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia that was formed in 1992 by the remaining Yugoslav republics Montenegro and Serbia established diplomatic relations with the Republic of North Macedonia on 8 April 1996. [246] The establishment of bilateral relations has been done under North Macedonia's former constitutional name – Republic of Macedonia. [247] Serbia therefore was one of 125 countries in the world recognizing Macedonia under the former constitutional name. [248] North Macedonia has an embassy in Belgrade, while Serbia's embassy is located in Skopje. |
Montenegro | 2006 [249] | See
Montenegro–Serbia relations
Montenegro has an embassy in Belgrade. Serbia has an embassy in Podgorica and a Consulate-General in Herceg Novi. |
Slovenia | 2000 [250] | See
Serbia–Slovenia relations
|
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Albania | 1914 [253] | See Albania–Serbia relations |
Austria | 1874 [256] | See
Austria–Serbia relations
|
Belarus | 1994 [261] | See
Belarus–Serbia relations
|
Belgium | 1886 [262] |
|
Bulgaria | 1879 [264] | See Bulgaria–Serbia relations |
Cyprus | 1960 [265] | See
Cyprus–Serbia relations
|
Czech Republic | 1918 [267] | See
Czech Republic – Serbia relations
|
Denmark | 1917 [269] | See
Denmark–Serbia relations
|
Estonia | 2001 [270] |
|
Finland | 1929 [271] | See
Finland–Serbia relations
|
France | 1839 [274] | See
France–Serbia relations
|
Germany | 1951 [277] | See
Germany–Serbia relations
|
Greece | 1879 [280] | See
Greece–Serbia relations
Friendly relations have played an important role in bilateral relations between the two nations, especially during the wars of the 1990s and the Balkans Campaign [281] in World War I. Due to the strong historical friendship and the deep cultural and religious ties between the two nations, Greece and Serbia enjoy historically, religiously and culturally close ties which are confirmed by a regular political dialogue. Greece is the top investor in Serbian economy [282] and during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, Greece openly expressed its disapproval and polls revealed that 94% of the Greek population were completely opposed to the bombing. [283] The more dramatic event was a People's Tribunal of over a 10.000 people in Athens, Greece, where the Greek Supreme Court declared president Clinton and NATO leaders guilty of war crimes. [284] |
Holy See | 1920 [285] | See Holy See–Serbia relations |
Hungary | 1921 [286] | See
Hungary–Serbia relations
|
Iceland | 2000 [290] |
|
Ireland | 1977 [292] |
|
Italy | 1879 [293] | See
Italy–Serbia relations and
Italy-Yugoslavia relations
|
Latvia | 1917 [295] |
|
Lithuania | 2000 [297] |
|
Malta | 1969 [299] | See
Malta–Serbia relations
|
Moldova | 1995 [301] |
|
Netherlands | 1891 [302] | See
Netherlands–Serbia relations
|
Norway | 1917 [305] | See
Norway–Serbia relations
|
Poland | 1919 [309] | See
Poland–Serbia relations
|
Portugal | 1882 [310] | See
Portugal–Serbia relations
|
Romania | 1879 [311] | See Romania–Serbia relations |
Russia | 1838 [312] | See
Russia–Serbia relations
Diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union were established on 24 June 1940, and Serbia and the Russian Federation recognize the continuity of all inter-State documents signed between the two countries. There are about 70 bilateral treaties, agreements and protocols signed in the past. Serbia and the Russian Federation have signed and ratified 43 bilateral agreements and treaties in diverse areas of mutual cooperation so far. [313] |
San Marino | 2002 [314] | See
San Marino–Serbia relations
|
Slovakia | 1918 [315] | See
Serbia–Slovakia relations
|
Spain | 1916 [318] | See
Serbia–Spain relations
|
Sweden | 1917 [321] | See
Serbia–Sweden relations
|
Switzerland | 1916 [323] | See
Serbia–Switzerland relations
|
Ukraine | 1994 [328] | See
Serbia–Ukraine relations
|
United Kingdom | 1837 [329] | See
Serbia–United Kingdom relations
|
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Australia | 1966 [332] | See
Australia–Serbia relations
|
New Zealand | 1951 [334] |
|
Palau | 2018 [337] |
Formal bilateral relations between the two states were established in 2018. January 2019 marked the first visit of President of Palau Thomas Remengesau Jr. to Belgrade. [338] [339] [340] |
{{
cite web}}
: |author=
has generic name (
help)
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
the fact that 125 countries in the world have recognised Macedonia's constitutional name is a clear signal that the country has international support
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)