Serbia and Ukraine have formalized a significant agreement to deepen their economic cooperation, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to completing a long-stalled free trade agreement by the end of the year, facilitated by a visit by President Zelenskyy to Belgrade. This commitment was made following the final day of a two-day summit, concluding with Zelenskyy’s first visit to Serbia since 2019. The leaders, who have previously met several times, including in Kyiv on July 15th, have reiterated Serbia’s steadfast support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, including the annexation of Russian-held territories following the 2014 conflict. Belgrade has, however, maintained its position of non-sanctioning of Russia, a policy rooted in long-standing strategic alliances.
Speaking at a joint news conference, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic emphasized Serbia’s commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s EU integration prospects and safeguarding its territory, including the regions currently under Russian occupation. However, the Serbian government has resisted imposing any sanctions against Russia, viewing its relationship with Moscow as vital for Serbia’s economic stability. Meanwhile, Ukraine has not recognized Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence, a position that Serbia considers a fundamental aspect of its national identity.
The proposed free trade agreement, a decades-long endeavor, now stands at a critical juncture, with both countries aiming to finalize a deal by the end of the year. The agreement is crucial for Serbia’s pursuit of membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and a prerequisite for EU membership, a goal that has been repeatedly stalled by Western sanctions against Russia.
The agreement is anticipated to significantly impact Ukraine’s agricultural sector, given Ukraine’s struggles with grain exports and the ongoing Russian attacks on railway stations, hospitals, universities, and civilian businesses. Zelenskyy highlighted the discussion of joint infrastructure projects, including the Danube Corridor and enhanced links between Ukraine, the Western Balkans, and the EU, with Serbian Prime Minister Duro Macut. The two leaders also discussed energy security, with Serbia pledging 2 million euros ($2.3m) to support Ukraine’s energy sector through a new humanitarian aid package focusing on medical and energy sectors. The memorandum signed by Serbia’s Agriculture Minister Dragan Glamocic and Ukraine’s ambassador, Oleksandr Lytvynenko, further cemented the commitment, indicating a strengthening of economic ties.
Zelenskyy underscored the importance of developing all forms of cooperation to bolster Ukraine’s resilience, noting that the two countries had discussed joint projects, including energy and food security, prior to the winter. Vucic expressed reservations regarding Ukraine’s prospects for rapid EU membership, stating that the bloc has not granted a new member since Croatia’s accession in 2013. He cautioned that the war in Ukraine is likely to continue for a long period, and expressed fears about the winter conditions in Ukraine.
In a post on X, Zelenskyy reiterated the discussions on economic and logistics projects, including Danube Corridor initiatives and closer links between Ukraine, the Western Balkans, and the EU. He thanked Serbia for its commitment to providing 2 million euros to support Ukraine’s energy sector. The Kremlin has accused Serbia of selling ammunition to Ukraine through intermediaries, denying supplying ammunition directly to Ukrainian forces, but Belgrade has maintained that they sell ammunition to buyers around the world. Serbia and Ukraine have not explicitly discussed military cooperation during the visit.
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Source: Al Jazeera
