When Aleksandar Vučić unexpectedly hosted the powerful Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Belgrade, it was clear something big was brewing. The visit of the UAE president comes at a time when Vučić is losing Western support and protests in Serbia continue unabated. On the surface, it’s all about economics: expanding cooperation, investments, tourism, infrastructure, energy. But political insiders say the real point is financial aid and stabilizing the SNS government.
Vučić praised the long-standing friendship and strategic partnership with the UAE on social media, but critics say it’s just a mask for a desperate attempt to secure money, possibly under less favorable terms than before. Vice President of the Free Citizens Movement, Aris Movsesijan, points out that the visit came at a time when Vučić is losing credibility with Western partners due to inconsistencies with commitments.
Even more intriguing, the visit was unannounced and opaque, fueling suspicions that behind closed doors deals are being made that are not in the interest of Serbian citizens. Some UAE projects in Serbia have already faced criticism for lack of transparency and dubious contracts.
Green-Left Front MP Natalija Stojmenović openly claims the message of this visit is corruption. Free trade agreements with the UAE, touted as a big success, are actually symbols of everything wrong: favoritism towards investors, destruction of public space, and pushing citizens to the margins.
Vučić, on the other hand, tries to show he still has someone to talk to, but the fruits of these talks, according to critics, can only be new mafia-like real estate prices and more lucrative deals for the SNS team.
All in all, this unannounced visit of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed to Belgrade speaks more about problems and crisis of power than stability and prosperity. If you thought Serbian politics was boring, think again!
So, what do you think? Is this just another show for the public or is a new financial octopus being spun behind the scenes? Drop a comment, let’s see who’s for and who’s against!
