French President Emmanuel Macron is currently on a visit to Serbia, marking his first official visit to the country. The visit comes just five months after he hosted Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Paris. The timing of Macron’s visit is significant as Serbia is in the midst of strengthening its economic ties with both the European Union and China.
The European Union has been a key partner for Serbia, offering economic assistance and potential membership into the bloc. On the other hand, China has been investing heavily in Serbia, particularly in infrastructure projects as part of its Belt and Road Initiative. This has raised concerns about Serbia’s ability to maintain a diplomatic balance between its European and Chinese partners.
Macron’s visit is seen as an attempt to strengthen France’s relationship with Serbia and to assert its influence in the region. France has traditionally played a key role in the Western Balkans and Macron’s visit is expected to signal France’s continued engagement in the region.
During his visit, Macron is expected to focus on economic cooperation, particularly in sectors such as energy, transportation, and agriculture. The two leaders are also expected to discuss regional security issues, including the ongoing conflict in Kosovo and the potential for further EU enlargement in the Western Balkans.
Overall, Macron’s visit to Serbia highlights the growing strategic importance of the country in Europe and the challenges it faces in balancing its relationships with the EU and China. It also underscores France’s commitment to maintaining influence in the Western Balkans and promoting stability and economic development in the region.
Source
Photo credit www.euronews.com