SHARE
Press Release:
The draft Law on Foreign Affairs strengthens the power of the President and turns diplomacy into a secret service
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.
In its explanation, this draft emphasizes that the Government’s policy depends on the attitudes and actions of the President of the Republic, which suggests an unconstitutional increase in the President’s power in conducting foreign policy. The draft also significantly strengthens the discretionary power of the Minister and reduces the supervisory and control function of the National Assembly. The culture of secrecy in the work of institutions and the trend of their refusing to enable complete access to information of public interest, such as public procurement issues, continues. An autonomous information and telecommunication system for data collection, storage, and processing is introduced, which is contrary to the Law on Data Secrecy. The tradition of the Minister having discretionary rights in employment in the Ministry without competition for an indefinite period is still legally possible.
The draft introduces the function of a diplomatic supervisor who will have internal supervision over diplomatic missions and consulates but with too broad powers and without independence in his work. Also, the centralization of power and authoritarian control of the executive power is reflected in the fact that provincial bodies and local self-government units can communicate with representatives of foreign states and international organizations exclusively through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Despite the Government’s intention to show the European Union that there is a social dialogue in Serbia on important topics, including foreign policy, the practice of speeding up the non-transparent process of drafting laws without substantial public involvement is continued. This primarily indicates the need for decision-makers to satisfy the form but also to hide the essence – the desire for an even greater concentration of power and authoritarian control of institutions.
Due to all the observations made here and many others concerning the incompatibility of this draft with the already existing laws, BCSP calls on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to initiate a serious, substantial, and inclusive public debate on this important regulation.
Tags: foreign policy
RELATED
Date: 09.06.2025.
Author: Belgrade Centre for Security Policy
The Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP) expresses deep concern over serious irregularities, abuses, and selective actions by members of the Ministry of Interior during the local elections held on June 8, 2025, in Zaječar and Kosjerić. We call for an immediate, independent investigation into all reported incidents. These events are part of a broader security context in which the police are increasingly failing to fulfill their primary role—protecting citizens and upholding the rule of law.
Date: 22.02.2025.
Author: Belgrade Centre for Security Policy
On 20 February, 2025, the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy presented its latest research, titled “Non-Malign Influence - What Does the Russian Community in Serbia Think and Do,” at the Envoy Conference in Belgrade.
Date: 28.02.2024.
Author: Belgrade Centre for Security Policy
The half-day conference titled “Behind the Scenes of the Balkan Defence Policies,” organised by the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, was the opportunity to present and discuss the main findings of the latest edition of the Balkan Defence Monitor.
