On August 14 (Bel Belgrade time), Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic reaffirmed that his country has no plans to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Speaking to reporters during a visit to construction sites serving Expo 2027, President Vucic emphasized the difference between Serbia and Montenegro - a neighboring country that has become a NATO member.
One side is Montenegro, a NATO member, the other side is Serbia, a country that is not and will not become a NATO member. Montenegro imposes sanctions on Russia, and Serbia does not do so," Vucic said.
The latest statement of the Serbian leader continues to affirm the stance that Belgrade has maintained over the years on the issue of military alliance.
On June 10, after meeting with the Commander-in-Chief of the NATO High Command in Europe, Mr. Alexus Grynkewich, Mr. Vucic once declared that Belgrade would maintain a military neutral policy but continue to cooperate with NATO in some areas.
Serbia has cooperative relations with NATO through the Partnership for Peace program. Military neutrality is also one of the important orientations in Serbia's security policy.
Belgrade also maintains relations with both Western countries and Russia. Serbia does not participate in European Union (EU) sanctions against Russia, although the country is in the process of negotiating to join the EU.
The issue of relations with NATO is also of particular significance in Serbia due to memories of NATO's air strike campaign against Yugoslavia in 1999. The campaign lasted 78 days and is still a sensitive issue in Serbian society.
Meanwhile, Serbia continues to cooperate with NATO in a number of practical activities, including training programs, disaster response support and security cooperation.
