The international system is undergoing profound changes and one of the main ones is the growth of China’s global influence, which is gradually turning into a source of influence comparable to the United States. This process is accompanied by the growth of China’s political and economic presence in different regions of the world. Europe is no exception, but this process varies greatly in different countries, with some countries only cautiously developing ties with China while others seek to expand them as much as possible.

There are many findings of domestic and foreign research organisations that unequivocally indicate that Serbia is a captured state, with a hybrid political regime. Security institutions play a major role in the capture of the state and the collapse of democracy in Serbia, as well as in preserving the situation the way it is.

Bilateral disputes between European Union member states and candidate countries are one of the key obstacles to EU enlargement. They have been plaguing the EU accession process ever since the breakup of Yugoslavia and the subsequent border dispute between EU member Slovenia and candidate country Croatia which then ensued. More recently we have the case of North Macedonia. It became a candidate country in 2005 but ever since, its accession negotiations have been bogged down by endless bilateral disputes.

Half of the population in Serbia see Russia as the main foreign policy partner and 2/3 have positive attitudes towards Russia, while the main source of the radical pro-Russian narrative is pro-government media with their narratives that are transported to the public. That was pointed out during the panel discussion BCSP organized on December 14.

We present you the analysis of the results of the public opinion survey on Serbian foreign policy and relations with great powers.

BCSP warns the public that the draft Law on Foreign Affairs, if it does not undergo profound changes, will increase the power of the President in conducting foreign policy to the detriment of the Government and the discretionary power of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and reduce the transparency of the Ministry, as well as centralize the supervision of all affairs related to foreign relations. Such a law would be another step toward formalizing the President's role beyond his Constitutional competencies, thus taking over the institutions responsible for formulating and implementing foreign policy.

What challenges the new American administration will face in the Balkans, and how should it approach them? Read in the latest analysis of BCSP researcher Vuk Vuksanović.

According to a public opinion survey Serbian citizens identify Russia and China as their greatest friends. As the country's most important foreign policy priorities, citizens recognize preserving Kosovo as part of Serbia, strengthening cooperation with neighboring countries and strengthening cooperation with Russia. More than half of the citizens do not support Serbia's membership in the EU.