Embroiled in a political crisis in France and still looking for a prime minister, the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, went to Belgrade on Thursday, August 29, where an agreement for the purchase of twelve Rafale jets by Serbia was announced during a ceremony with his Serbian counterpart, Aleksandar Vucic.
The French fighters are to replace the Serbian air force’s aging fleet of Russian Migs. Belgrade is due to receive nine single-seat Rafales and three two-seaters by 2029, for 2.7 billion euros, the Serbian president said. “This is huge news. We are happy to join the Rafale Club”Vucic said during the press conference that followed the announcement of a dozen agreements between the two countries concerning artificial intelligence, nuclear energy and agriculture. While Macron sees this purchase as “a long-term alliance between our two countries”. “It’s a real changeadds the head of state. This is an opening for strategic change despite a lot of pressure, which must be highlighted. This is real strategic courage and an opportunity for Europe.”
The issue of this Rafale agreement remains sensitive: Belgrade, a candidate for membership in 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 argued that almost all of the “interceptor aircraft” Serbian and “the whole” of the “fighter planes came from Russia”. “We have to evolve, change our habits and everything else in order to prepare our army”he defended himself, assuring that “Serbia could become a member of the Rafale Club”.
France also puts this argument forward, citing a logic “of Serbia’s attachment to the European Union”. Belgrade can do the “strategic choice” of “cooperate with a European country” to renew its fleet, it is hoped in Paris.
If France does not take the place of Russian planes used in Serbia, “for example with Rafales, (…) This enclave in the middle of the European Union will become an entry point for instability on our continent and for all authoritarian regimes from Russia to China.”Jean-Noël Barrot, the resigning minister responsible for Europe, added on Franceinfo on Thursday morning. He is also on the trip to Serbia, as is the chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, Eric Trappier.
Serbia has “its place” in the EU, according to Emmanuel Macron
France officially supports Serbia’s EU accession process, defended by Aleksandar Vucic despite concerns expressed among the population. “Your country’s place is in our Europe and our European Union”said Mr. Macron on Thursday evening, expressing the wish “that the accession negotiations can move forward”.
In a letter published in the Serbian press on Thursday, Mr. Macron assured that “ 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.” Eight months after the Serbian legislative elections, which were marred by fraud according to the OECD and the European Parliament and won by the presidential party, the Elysée believes that this accession process should push Belgrade to “consolidate the rule of law”.
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