Public Opinion on the Security of Serbia and Dialogue with Pristina

According to the most recent survey conducted by a questionnaire designed by Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP) more than a half of respondents believe that the country’s national security is under threat.

Complete results can be read here. 

Two-third of respondents see corruption and crime, and the behavior of politicians as the main internal threats, while major powers and terrorism are identified as the key external threats by a half of respondents.

Citizens give a bad grade to government for its fight against crime and corruption. They think that the government is not serious about fighting corruption, that it is selective in its fight against organized crime and that cannot protect them from terrorism. Investments into economy and education are identified as the way to strengthen national security.

The majority believes that Serbia has more enemies than friends in the neighborhood but expects no armed conflict in the next 5 years.

The majority of respondents do not want to wage war to keep Kosovo as a part of Serbia, nor in cases of human rights violations of Serbs in the neighborhood.

The citizens of Serbia think that Albanians have more gains from the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, but three-quarters are in favor of the dialogue and only 9% are against. The citizens support the agreements with Pristina as long as they do not lead to the recognition of Kosovo. Only 8% are in favor of independence.

This study is the first part of the research, while another presentation on the foreign policy of Serbia and trust in institutions will be delivered at the beginning of March.

The publication is a part of the project entitled “Renewed and revised co-operation between the BCSP, regional partners and the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs”, funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.