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Editor’s Note
TIRANA, May 23 – Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić continues to refuse to join EU sanctions against Russia or publicly condemn the war in Ukraine. Similarly, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán remains one of Putin’s main allies in Europe.
In face of rising pressure by the EU to align their stances according to the Union’s position, Hungary, an EU member, and Serbia, a candidate country, reaffirmed their strategic partnership over the weekend.
But more than the act, it is the messages they sent to Brussels, Europe and Western Balkans. Orbán said that Serbia was having a hard time because it is outside the EU and Hungary “because it is inside” the Union. “But whatever happens, our two countries can count on each other, and we will try to agree on our positions bilaterally and multilaterally,” Orban said.
For his part Vucic told his guest at the opening of an agricultural fair in the northern Serbian city of Novi Sad last weekend that Serbia was ready to help in all directions Hungary. “We also agreed that, should Hungary be lacking in something, Serbia will be there to help,” Vucic said.
Serbian President Vučić and Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán made such a mutual pledge against the background of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and their public stance not aligned to that of the EU regarding the sanctions on Moscow. Besides, other vital interests link those two countries, and they are in their right as long as they do not affect the interests of others or Western alliances. Certainly energy is the key topic of the common language between Budapest and Belgrade as winter is approaching and the Ukraine war seems endless so far with no signs of peace between the two countries.
But politically speaking the statement of Orbán who said that Serbia was having a hard time because it is outside the EU and Hungary “because it is inside” the Union cannot pass without drawing the attention of Brussels and even the Western Balkans countries.
So putting it plainly Hungary and Serbia accept that they are having hard times in the Union. And one of the reasons is their friendly stance towards Russia.
In addition it is significant what Orban means with the statement “whatever happens, our two countries can count on each other…”
Is it expected a more bitter confrontation between Brussels and these two countries? Everybody remembers when ‘Hungexit’ was brought about or Vucic’s sharp answer to EU officials that Serbia does not let down its Russian ‘brother’.
It is hoped that Albanian diplomacy follows attentively these developments and should act with maturity in these difficult times. Every day that passes gives evidence that Open Balkans is an initiative serving Serbia in the maximum. Belgrade sells it as its ‘baby’ to increase its authority as regional leader in the eyes of the world. On the other hand, strategic partnerships that Tirana has sealed should be materialized and new ones could be established.
It would be in its interest to reinvigorate the strategic partnership with Croatia, a country which is historically closely connected with the Albanian people. Both NATO members, while Croatia is helping Albania in its EU accession drive. They share the Adriatic and are geographically close with Montenegro, a friendly country, in between.
There are broad avenues which need to be explored in all other fields like economy, agriculture, tourism, culture, education etc.
On the other hand, Croatia is very friendly to Kosovo and backs it as much as it can at international level not only to be recognized by other countries but also to join international organizations.
It was good news that the Albanian army will be equipped with the ‘Javelin’ rockets bought from a military US company when there is obviously an arms race in the region with Serbia getting armed to teeth. But in any case Croatia’s military potential should not be neglected. It is unforgettable how the brave Croatian people who were also joined by Albanians, and their army defeated Milosevic’s military machine, liberating the country from the Serb invaders. And now Croatia’s armed forces are ranked among the best in the region and beyond in all its capacities.
In an insecure region at times of war on European soil besides the great strategic partner, the US, which has its hands full with worldwide engagements, Albania should nourish strategic partnerships with friendly neighboring countries because after all their interests are interconnected. Looking forward to new future friendships, the past cannot be ignored and the strategic partnership of Albania with Croatia should be among the most important priorities of all policymakers in the entire government chain. Although Open Balkans links closely Vucic and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, it can never lead Tirana and Belgrade to a strategic partnership. Instead, Tirana should count on the historical pledge of all Croatian political elite that Albania can rely on the friendship of Croatian people. Besides other elements, a strategic partnership has in itself the historical amicable memory of the two people and countries which is the solid foundation of any bond like in the case of Albania and Croatia.
/Argumentum.al
