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French President Emmanuel Macron and his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic (R) during a meeting at the Palace of Serbia, on August 29, 2024 in Belgrade (AFP/Elvis Barukcic)
Serbia signed the purchase of twelve Rafale fighter jets on Thursday under the gaze of French President Emmanuel Macron, who was visiting Belgrade to finalise several economic agreements and reiterate his desire to see the Serbs integrate a “strong and sovereign” European Union.
“Serbia’s choice of Rafale fighter jets is a clear choice, that of a long-term alliance between our two countries within a stronger and more sovereign Europe,” said Emmanuel Macron, stressing the “strategic change” that this contract represents for Belgrade, whose air force was until now composed of Russian Migs.
Serbia has always maintained friendly relations with Russia, has never imposed sanctions on Moscow since the war in Ukraine and announced earlier this year the acquisition of the Russian Repellent anti-drone system.
Asked several times about these links, and the risks of seeing French combat aircraft piloted by an army which also obtains supplies from Moscow and Beijing, Mr. Macron preferred to congratulate himself on the contract signed with Dassault Aviation.
“I see so many people criticizing Serbia for having partnerships with Russia and China, why don’t we congratulate ourselves when the partnership with France is great?” the French president said.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic (R) during a press conference after signing bilateral documents, on August 29, 2024 in Belgrade (AFP/Elvis Barukcic)
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who said he was “grateful” to “join the prestigious Rafale club”, also defended this balancing act between East and West.
“I am proud of Serbian foreign policy,” he said. “I know that Emmanuel [Macron, ndlr] “Would like to see sanctions imposed on Russia, I know he would like that. But we have not done it, and we are not ashamed of it,” Vucic insisted, recalling that Serbia had sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine and recognized its “territorial integrity.”
– 2.7 billion –
The twelve Rafales (nine single-seaters and three two-seaters) will cost 2.7 billion euros, Aleksandar Vucic specified just after the signing, and should replace the Serbian army’s aging fleet of Russian Migs by 2029.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic (R) review the guard of honor on August 29, 2024 in Belgrade (AFP/Elvis BARUKCIC)
Speaking to AFP, President Vucic argued that almost all of the Serbian “interceptor planes” and “all” of the “combat planes came from Russia.” “We have to evolve, change our habits and everything else in order to prepare our army,” he said.
France also puts forward this argument, evoking a logic of “tying Serbia to the European Union”. Belgrade can make the “strategic choice” of “cooperating with a European country” to renew its fleet, it is hoped in Paris.
– “Consolidating the rule of law” –
For Vuk Vuksanovic, of the Centre for Security Policy, a think tank in the Serbian capital, “the signing of this agreement shows how, in the last two years, in terms of defence, Russian influence in Serbia has declined, at the same time as that of the European Union has grown”. Without believing however “that this will have an impact on membership in the European Union”.

French President Emmanuel Macron is welcomed by his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic (R) upon his arrival at Belgrade airport on August 29, 2024 (AFP/OLIVER BUNIC)
France officially supports Serbia’s EU accession process, defended by Aleksandar Vucic despite a public opinion that is largely against it.
“Serbia’s place is in the European Union, it has an important role to play, which can serve as an example and a driving force for the entire region. And we are determined to continue to support all efforts to consolidate in this regard, your economic strength, economic reforms, the improvement of daily life as well as the rule of law,” Mr. Macron stressed at a press conference.
Eight months after Serbian legislative elections marred by fraud according to the OECD and the European Parliament, won by the presidential party, Mr. Macron hopes that “accession negotiations can move forward and that the conditions are quickly met for the opening of a new block of chapters.”
So far, out of 35 chapters, 22 have been opened, and only two have been partially closed.
On Friday, Mr Macron and Mr Vucic are expected in Novi Sad, the country’s second city.
© 2024 AFP
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