Thawing Balkan frozen relations

World
Europe

On February 12, Serbian and Croatian presidents met in Croatia capital Zagreb after a rapid escalation of cross-border accusations.

The meeting followed after Croatia announced its latest acquisition of thirty F-16 fighter jets from Israel in response to Serbia receiving six MiG-29 jets from Russia. That move was seen as continuation of an arms race in the ever volatile Balkans region.

In Zagreb, during heavy snow and under the NATO and EU flags, the Serbian president was greeted by his Croatian counterpart. It was the rare moment when the Serbian flag was hoisted in front of the Croatian presidency building and Serbian anthem was played by the Croatian guards orchestra.

Two presidents addressing to the journalists /CGTN Photo

This meeting was labeled “almost urgent” and was an attempt to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control, because of officials from both countries trading insults in very undiplomatic manner.

Heated atmosphere transferred to the streets of Zagreb during the meeting of the two presidents. Hundreds of those opposing the Serbian president’s visit marched through the streets of Zagreb, demanding an apology from Serbia for alleged atrocities during the violent breakup of the former Yugoslavia.

Every time when speaking with Serbs or Croats about each other, a string of mutual accusations emerges about the past, the wars, the crimes.

Serbian president, Aleksandar Vucic /CGTN Photo

And despite the latest war here ended 23 years ago, tensions are still running high. So, Croatian and Serbian presidents decided to meet in an attempt to ease tensions and start thawing relations, which are almost as cold as the weather in Zagreb.

Is it time for the new beginning?

Serbia and Croatia have a long history of conflicts and mutual misunderstanding, but according to Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic, it is time to start ending them all.

“Serbia and Croatia must have better relations in the future, regardless of whether somebody wants that or not. The time has come for us to be in the same situation as Norway and Sweden are today. Until 1905, today’s relations were unimaginable for those two countries. We will have to look into future from different perspectives and consider the other side’s opinion and feelings too.”

Croatian president, Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic /CGTN Photo

His Croatian counterpart, Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic went even further stressing that the future should be one with the strong economic ties and joint projects.

Rejuvenation of neglected transportation infrastructure is of utmost importance for both sides, as Kitarovic said: “One of the projects that we suggest to be sped up and start working on is the modernization of railways between Zagreb and Belgrade. If we fail to modernize it, the entire cargo and other transportation will bypass Croatia. That question is of our vital interest.”

She emphasized that the last thing this region needs right now is foreign meddling, influence and pressure. Something that is not so easy to avoid here.

US donation to Croatia, Kiowa Helicopters unloading, at the Zemunik airport /Croatian MOD Photo

The latest examples of big players playing big games in the region of Balkans happen only just recently, back in 2017 when Croatia received reconnaissance and combat helicopters as a donation from the US. Soon after, several Russian transport aircraft brought six MiG-29 fighter jets.

Then also in the last year, Croatia received mechanized howitzers as donation from Germany, while Serbia agreed to receive donation of thirty T-72 tanks from Russia. And the question is why this local arms race happens in the Balkans?

According to former Croatian ambassador Bozo Kovacevic, the reason is in its key geostrategic position: “Balkans region is the area of confrontation of major world players. On one side there is confrontation between Russia and the US."

"Russia has important role here, and it doesn’t want to see entire Balkans in NATO, which is what the US plans,” Kovacevic said. “On the other side, the EU and the US have their own competition here. The current US administration supports NATO enlargement, but doesn’t support strengthening of the EU.”

Bozo Kovacevic, former Croatian ambassador /CGTN Photo

Confrontation between big powers found fertile ground here in the climate of flourishing and perpetual tensions, and the question now is, are the local politicians up to the task of stopping this vortex of tension?