Vlade Radulović, director of the Center for Geostrategy and Terrorism Research (CeGIT), commented on the conference that ended on Friday two day visit French President in Belgrade and Novi Sad.
– A number of signed agreements will further deepen cooperation between both countries and potentially will strengthen their partnership in the future – he said in an interview with PAP.
President Macron's visit to Serbia. Contract for the purchase of fighter jets
On Thursday in the presence of the president France Emmanuel Macron and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic were also signed contract for the purchase of 12 Rafale fighterswhich were to replace the Soviet-era weapons, namely the MiG-29 aircraft. The value of the contract – as declared by President Vučić – amounted to 2,7 mld euro.
– The decision to purchase these machines has several dimensions, the first of which is the need keeping pace with military modernization countries in the region, said Vlade Radulović.
He added that “unlike in previous years, Serbia is no longer able to acquire from Russia the most complex systems, therefore – due to the extremely complex geopolitical situation, aspirations for EU membership and the fact that we are surrounded by member states NATO – the choice fell on another historical ally, France.”
Is This a Turn to the West? Expert Explains
Commenting on the latest arms purchase, the analyst notes that “Rafal has to offer the most of all machines in its category.”
– It is an extremely efficient, combat-proven and modern multi-role fighter aircraft. It can carry up to 9.5 tons of cargo and perform several different tasks during a single flight, i.e. it can act as a fighter-interceptor, using air-to-air missiles, and then as a bomber, using missiles directed at land and sea targets, and also transmit data on the situation in airspace – emphasized the CeGIT director.
– Its unique feature is that in some cases, after adding five external fuel tankscan be used as an air tanker – adds the interlocutor.
Radulović noted that “although the purchase of fighter jets is not a definitive turn towards the Westsince the beginning of the Russian invasion Ukraine Belgrade is taking further steps to turn Serbia towards Western countries.”
– It should be noted, however, that an alternative to Moscow also found in Beijingwhich is visible both in the field of armaments and in the recently concluded strategic partnership between the two countries – the analyst concluded.
Belgrade. Meeting of the President of France and the President of Serbia
French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Belgrade began on Thursday. He met with Serbian leader Aleksandar Vucic
A number of bilateral agreements on cooperation in the fields of agriculture, forestry, sewage treatment and environmental protection were signed at that time.
It was also agreed cooperation in the field of research and exploitation of strategic resources minerals and research on Serbia's potential to develop a civilian nuclear program.
On the second day, representatives of both countries went to the city of Novi Sad, where listened to the conference on artificial intelligence.
Recently, the Serbian government renewed the lithium mining license from the local deposit for Rio Tinto, despite mass protests from Serbs fearing the impact of mining on the natural environment. – We made a choice. It was the EU – Vučić told AFP, claiming that non-Western entities were also applying for the deposits.