Immersed in a political crisis in France and still in search of a prime minister, the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, travelled to Belgrade on Thursday 29 August, where during a ceremony an agreement for the purchase of twelve Rafales by Serbia was announced with his Serbian counterpart, Aleksandar Vucic.
French fighters are to replace the Serbian Air Force’s ageing Russian MiG fleet. Belgrade is due to receive nine single-seat and three two-seat Rafales by 2029, for an undisclosed amount.
The issue of this purchase is sensitive: Belgrade, a candidate for accession to the European Union, maintains relations with Moscow despite the invasion of Ukraine and has not imposed sanctions on Russia since the start of the war in 2022. Speaking to Agence France-Presse, President Vucic claimed that almost all of the “interceptor aircraft” Serbians and “whole” of the “The fighter jets came from Russia”. “We have to evolve, change our habits and everything else in order to prepare our army”He defended himself by assuring that “Serbia could become a member of the Rafale Club”.
France also raises this argument, evoking a logic “linking Serbia to the European Union”. Belgrade can do it “strategic choice” of “cooperate with a European country” To renew its fleet, we are waiting in Paris.
If France does not take the place “for example with Rafale” Russian aircraft used in Serbia. “This enclave at the heart of the European Union will become a gateway for instability on our continent and for all authoritarian regimes from Russia to China.”Jean-Noël Barrot, the outgoing minister responsible for Europe, repeated on Franceinfo on Thursday morning. He is also travelling to Serbia, as is the president and CEO of Dassault Aviation, Eric Trappier.
Serbia has “its full place” in the EU, says Emmanuel Macron
France officially supports Serbia’s EU accession process, championed by Aleksandar Vucic despite concerns expressed among the population. In a letter published Thursday in the Serbian press, Macron reiterated that Serbia had “all its place” within the European Union.
“Today I am returning to Serbia with a simple message: the European Union and its Member States need a strong and democratic Serbia at their side and Serbia needs a strong and sovereign European Union.”wrote the head of State. Eight months after the Serbian legislative elections marked by fraud according to the OECD and the European Parliament, won by the presidential party, the Elysee considers that this accession process must lead Belgrade to “consolidating the rule of law”.
