CENTRAL-EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES’ (CEEC) AND SERBIA’S PERSPECTIVE AND POSITION TOWARDS CHINESE “ONE BELT, ONE ROAD” INITIATIVE―A GEO-POLITICAL OVERVIEW

NIKOLIĆ Marko (Ph.D., Research Fellow, Institute of International Politics and Economics, Belgrade), markon@diplomacy.bg.ac.rs

The paper presents an attempt related to Chinese “One Belt, One Road” initiative (2013) assessment from a geo-political perspective, focusing on the position and role of Serbia. In the context of deep World economic crisis and, at least, skeptical (if not opposite) influence and interests of Trans-Atlantic partners (USA and EU), China has constructively been aspiring to establish and maintain three continents’ network of intensive economic cooperation, trying to contribute to its own and mutual peaceful development. China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) cooperation is “regional” and linking aspect of emerging Strategic China-EU cooperation. In that geo-political context, starting from its Identity and Foreign policy priorities, Serbia has been showing the will and readiness to become an active Chinese partner and South-East European leader in “One Road, One Belt” initiative’s implementation.

Keywords: Silk Road, China-EU relations, China-CEEC Cooperation, “One Belt, One Road” initiative, Serbia’s Will and “Regionally-Integrative” role