In the Partnership for Peace but not in the Alliance: Serbia's standing with NATO

Background

Because Serbia took part this week in a meeting on the European Union's foreign and security policy, its position on military alliances is worth noting. Serbia joined NATO's Partnership for Peace programme in 2006 and also joined the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council. NATO says it fully respects Serbia's policy of military neutrality, and that unlike other Western Balkan partners Serbia does not aspire to join the Alliance. A NATO Military Liaison Office was established in Belgrade in December 2006. Serbia adopted its first two-year Individual Partnership Action Plan in 2015 and is moving to an Individually Tailored Partnership Programme.