Serbian Civilian Capacities for Peace Operations: The Untapped Potential
Serbian Civilian Capacities for Peace Operations: The Untapped Potential

Author(s): Marko Milošević, Bojan Elek
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, Civil Society, Geopolitics, Peace and Conflict Studies
Published by: BCBP Beogradski centar za bezbednosnu politiku
Keywords: Civilian Capacities; Serbian; civilian peace operations
Summary/Abstract: This policy brief provides an overview of the Serbia’s capacities to participate in civilian peace operations abroad. It analyzes the legislative framework that regulates international cooperation and contribution to peace operations of the Serbian defense forces and, based on interviews with representatives of state institutions, it identifies the key practical challenges these institutions are facing in order to create a more conducive environment for a more proactive civilian contribution. The roles of relevant stakeholders, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Serbian Armed Forces and the Police are examined, including an initial overview of the untapped civilian resources from other branches of the Government. In addition to this, potential pools of experts for civilian mission are identified in the civil society sector and among the staff of the international organizations operating in Serbia. The main finding is that there is a vast, untapped potential in Serbia for a more proactive involvement of its civilian capacities1 in missions abroad; yet, the lack of clear foreign policy goals, coupled with the lack of initiative and coordinating efforts on the part of MoFA, impedes their adequate usage. Lastly, recommendations for increasing existing training capacities and establishing two potential rosters of experts are provided.

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