Congratulations to the French Olympians on their successes, the famous motto of the French Revolution liberte, fraternite, egalite (freedom, brotherhood, equality) and - Cyrillic.
All this could be found on the official X account of French President Emmanuel Macron during his two-day visit to Serbia.
"In a world where everything is unstable, it's nice to have reliable friends and historical constants. We share them," Makron stated in Serbian.
"It is a sincere joy to be back," he added, with a photo in front of the Monument of Gratitude to France at Kalemegdan in 2019, when he was in Serbia for the first time.
Now he spent one day in Belgrade, another in Novi Sad, and we present to you the main conclusions of his visit.
- Ahead of Emmanuel Macron's visit: Five things that France is interested in in Serbia
- Macron and Vučić in Paris: Cordially on the economy and emotions, at odds on Kosovo, then on Louis Vuitton
- Diplomatic history of Serbia and France: From wartime allies, through the "dark nineties" to "renewed friendship"
- Serbia, France and the comic book agreement - what is it about?
Macron in Belgrade
"Nobody is allowed to step on the carpet," the senior officer in the order was emphatic.
The young soldier nodded his head and continued to patiently, again and again, use a broom to remove even the smallest speck from the red carpet in front of the Palace of Serbia, the former building of the Yugoslav Federal Executive Council (SIV), in New Belgrade.
About twenty minutes later, Macron and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, followed by Prime Minister Miloš Vučević, ministers and French officials, walked through that carpet.
This was followed by a short photo shoot, followed by the signing of a series of memoranda of cooperation, agreements and contracts on a wide variety of topics.
- Airplanes and the nuclear program
The contract for the purchase of 12 French Rafal military aircraft caused the most public attention.
"We are happy to become part of the Rafal club," Vucic said, while Macron called the agreement "historic," stating that it will contribute to peace in Europe.
Vučić particularly emphasized the signed agreement on cooperation between Serbia and France regarding the nuclear program.
"Serbia in ten years, everyone must understand that, will not have enough electricity if it does not use nuclear energy," said Vučić.
"France has 70 percent of its energy through nuclear reactors and programs and it is about clean energy."
France, Macron added, provides support for Serbia's "ecological and energy transition".
The Ministry of Mining and Energy of Serbia recently opened a public debate on the Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on Energy, which proposes the lifting of the ban on the construction of nuclear power plants.
A lot of accusations followed, primarily from the opposition camp, that French nuclear waste would be disposed of in Serbia, which Vučić denied.
One of the signed agreements concerns the long-announced sewage treatment plant in Belgrade, which the Serbian capital continues to pour directly into the Sava and the Danube.
Lithium was not mentioned in the documents, but a "declaration on partnership and cooperation in the field of research and exploitation of critical and strategic mineral resources" was signed.
Vučić also thanked France for its cooperation regarding the Belgrade metro.
- European integration
"I want to send a message of friendship and to say in the most decisive way that Serbia has a place in the European Union (EU)," Macron said.
As he stated, the European Union needs "a strong and democratic Serbia, and Serbia needs a strong European Union, in order to defend its interests".
Although it has been on the road to European integration for a long time, Serbia, along with Belarus, is the only European country that has not imposed sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, so Brussels, Berlin and Paris often hear requests for "alignment of foreign policy" with the EU.
This has often been pointed out as one of the key obstacles on Serbia's path to the Union.
Macron now wished that Serbia would make progress in the negotiations and open a new cluster.
"Serbia can be a flywheel for the entire region and we are determined to provide it with support in the development of the economy, the rule of law and everyday life," said the French president.
In an April report by Freedom House, an organization for human rights and the promotion of democracy, it states "the biggest drop in Serbia in the last ten years".
The decline was recorded in four out of seven areas - the electoral process, the media, local democratic governance and the judiciary.
In recent years, the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) has consistently violated political rights and civil liberties, exerting pressure on independent media, the political opposition and civil society organizations, the report said.
- Kosovo
Another obstacle to European integration is the resolution of the Kosovo issue, and Macron particularly emphasized the "normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina".
"That issue will not be resolved without compromise on both sides, and accordingly, if there is no political courage to reach a solution."
France is "very concerned about the unilateral moves of the Kosovo authorities," which "are not a good sign," Macron said.
In recent months, Pristina has abolished the use of the dinar, as has the Post of Serbia, one of the last state institutions of Serbia in Kosovo.
Violent reactions were also caused by announcements of the opening of the bridge over the Ibar in Kosovska Mitrovica, which divides the city into the Albanian and Serbian parts, closed to traffic since 1999.
"Be assured that France will monitor the conditions in which the Serbian community in Kosovo lives, and in this context we are particularly committed to the formation of the Community of Municipalities with a majority Serbian population," Macron said.
The formation of the Community of Serbian Municipalities, as a form of protection of the Serbian population in Kosovo, was foreseen by the Brussels Agreement from 2011, but it has not yet been established.
- Novak Djokovic and basketball
Macron also pointed out that the cooperation between the two countries has been strengthened in the economy, healthcare and culture, and he highlighted sport as a special "bond".
"How can I not mention Novak Djokovic, your hero whom you and we celebrated at the Olympic Games," Macron said.
Vučić continued with sports topics, mentioning the basketball team of Serbia.
Macron in Novi Sad
In Novi Sad, the French president viewed the exhibits in the Matica Srpska Gallery, violating protocol for more than half an hour.
"My only regret is that I can't stay longer," Makron complained to RTS.
- Artificial intelligence and the IT sector
Macron said that artificial intelligence is transforming our everyday life, but that China and America are currently investing much more in it.
However, he also believes that an "important role" awaits the Europeans.
"We have the capacity for it, we have the possibilities to do it and we can also design our own model," said Macron.
"In Europe, we created a renaissance, we put man at the center of everything that happens, this is something we should apply to artificial intelligence".
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