Swiss Radio and Television: Serbian Ambassador to Switzerland Rejects Criticism of Belgrade, Cites Election as a Solution 

Local Elections in Serbia, June 2 2024 (BETAPHOTO/MILOS MISKOV)

Speaking ahead of Swiss President Guy Parmelin’s arrival in Belgrade on April 28, Serbian Ambassador to Switzerland Ivan Trifunovic underlined good economic relations between the two countries, and rejected criticism of Belgrade authorities, but stressed that “incompetence, negligence and maybe corruption were certainly involved” in the tragic collapse of a concrete canopy at the Novi Sad Railway Station. 

“Economy is the pillar of our relations. Not only that branch offices of Swiss companies are active in Serbia, but Serbian firms have been providing numerous services in the IT sector. Also, Switzerland is among the most important investors in the largest economy in the Western Balkans,” Trifunovic told Echo program on Swiss Radio and Television (SRF).

Trifunovic also said that Serbia appreciated Switzerland’s political activity, such as its mediating role in the dialogue with Kosovo. According to him, Serbia and Switzerland are more similar than one might think at first glance, citing the example of both countries’ neutrality and their effort to find their place in the constantly changing geopolitical landscape. 

Commenting on the remark that Serbia, unlike Switzerland, did not impose sanctions against Russia despite its status of an EU candidate country, Trifunovic cited two reasons. Firstly, he said, Serbia did not believe in sanctions, also for its own experience, and secondly, Belgrade wished to maintain good relations with Moscow as it was dependent on Russian fuels. 

As regards the protests which erupted after the tragedy in Novi Sad on Nov. 1, 2024, the author of the feature on SRF said that Ambassador Trifunovic “shows understanding for the anger expressed” by the citizens. “The Novi Sad case certainly involved incompetence, negligence and maybe corruption,” Trifunovic told SRF, adding that legal aspects should be determined first and that he could understand the demands to shed light on everything.

SRF noted that “this demand has remained unfulfilled until today, which is why the protests continue, although they have recently lost impetus.” 

The Swiss TV also reported that Trifunovic “criticized the (protest) movement for not proposing any platform for Serbia’s future,” adding he had said that “ultimately, everything must be resolved in an election, which, he said, will be held this year.” 

“However, many believe that the elections will be neither free nor fair. The atmosphere in Serbia is increasingly being described as authoritarian. That is why the EU has recently significantly tightened its rhetoric about Serbia and is also considering the possibility of withholding development funds for the country in the amount of EUR1.5 billion,” SRF explained.