Macron Visits Belgrade to Strengthen Ties and Discuss Rafale Jet Deal

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to visit Belgrade on Thursday to strengthen ties with Serbia and steer it closer to the West as the country balances its European Union membership ambitions with close relationships with Russia and China.

During his two-day visit, Macron will meet with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to discuss key issues, including the potential purchase of France’s Rafale fighter jets, energy cooperation, and advancements in artificial intelligence. This marks Macron’s second meeting with Vucic this year, following Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Belgrade in May, underscoring Serbia’s strategic significance as it navigates relations with both the East and West.

In an op-ed for the pro-government daily *Politika*, Macron emphasized that Serbia’s independent stance could only be sustained under the EU’s umbrella. He noted that amid the war in Ukraine, triggered by Russia, the notion of Serbia maintaining a balance between global powers is an illusion. The EU remains Serbia’s largest investor, with numerous Serbs employed by Western companies.

On Wednesday, Vucic acknowledged ongoing challenges related to the Rafale deal, estimated at around 3 billion euros. He stressed that the issue wasn’t just about the price but also involved securing certain guarantees.

Aleksandar Zivotic, a history lecturer at the University of Belgrade, described the potential aircraft purchase as a significant shift away from Soviet-Russian influence, noting that such deals involve not only financial transactions but also foreign policy commitments.

While Serbia has reduced military cooperation with Moscow following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and condemned the aggression, it has stopped short of imposing sanctions, unlike the EU and other Western nations. Serbia’s military remains influenced by Soviet technology, though it has also acquired equipment from Western companies, including Airbus helicopters and Mistral surface-to-air missiles.

Serbia, heavily reliant on Russian gas, continues to seek diversification of its energy sources. Vucic and Macron are expected to discuss cooperation in energy and artificial intelligence, with several agreements anticipated to be signed during the visit. Before joining the EU, Serbia must address democratic reforms, enhance the rule of law, combat corruption and organized crime, and align its foreign policy with Brussels, including adopting sanctions against Russia.