Event Recap

New Atlanticist

Apr 28, 2021

Serbian president pursues EU membership, better US ties, and a bigger role in the Balkans

By Larry Luxner

Speaking with the Atlantic Council, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić talked about Serbia’s vaccine diplomacy, economic performance, relations with Kosovo, and more.

Coronavirus Economy & Business

The Atlantic Council’s Europe Center hosted a conversation with President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić on April 22, 2021.

Serbia is a central actor in the future of the Western Balkans and a Europe whole, free and at peace. The country emerged from the pandemic with rapid vaccination rates, active vaccine diplomacy in the region, and ambitious plans for economic recovery. At the same time, the candidate country for European Union (EU) membership continues to face political and geopolitical headwinds at home and abroad.

President Vučić joined the Council for a conversation about Serbia’s domestic agenda amid the pandemic as well as the country’s regional and foreign policy priorities. The conversation addressed the outlook for US-Serbia relations under a new US administration, what role the United States and EU can play working together to advance a Euro-Atlantic perspective for the Western Balkans, how Serbia can work with its neighbors to promote post-pandemic recovery through regional economic cooperation, as well as the Belgrade-Priština Dialogue, domestic political developments, and geopolitical influences in the region.  This discussion is part of the Europe Center’s #BalkansForward Initiative, a coordinated effort to foster a democratic, secure, and prosperous Western Balkans firmly integrated into the Euro-Atlantic community.

The Europe Center presented this live event as part of the Atlantic Council’s #ACFrontPage event series, our premier ideas platform spotlighting global leaders and championing constructive solutions to global challenges. From publishing timely commentary and analysis across the continent to providing a transatlantic platform for European leaders driving the crisis response, the Europe Center is combining foreign policy, economic, and business expertise to help re-imagine the post COVID-19 world. 

An #ACFrontPage event

Atlantic Council Front Page is our premier live ideas platform for global leaders to discuss the defining challenges of our time. #ACFrontPage is a high-level event series featuring top newsmakers across multiple digital platforms. Harnessing the convening power and expertise of the Council’s sixteen Programs and Centers, #ACFrontPage leverages the Council’s capabilities in social media, press, and digital outreach to spotlight the world’s most prominent leaders and the most compelling ideas across sectors and engage new audiences eager for nonpartisan and constructive solutions to current global challenges. This widely promoted program features the Council’s most important guests and content serving as the highlight of our programming.

Featuring

H.E. Aleksandar Vučić

President of the Republic of Serbia

Moderated by

Europe Center

Providing expertise and building communities to promote transatlantic leadership and a strong Europe in turbulent times.