Just a few months after taking office, Enno Drofenik, the Austrian Ambassador to Serbia, is already exploring the country, from Belgrade's architecture to the national parks across Serbia, while also learning the Serbian language.
In this interview, he outlines the priorities of his mission, with support for Serbia's accession to the European Union at the top of the list. He also discusses the economic ties that have made Austria one of the largest foreign investors in Serbia, as well as bilateral projects spanning a range of fields, from agriculture to police cooperation.
Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine and a shifting global order, he explains why, in his view, EU enlargement has once again risen to the top of the European agenda and what Serbia needs to do to seize this opportunity.
You have recently begun your mandate in Serbia. What are your first impressions of Belgrade and Serbia, and what aspects of our country would you particularly like to explore and gain a deeper understanding of?
"I think Belgrade is a fascinating and vibrant city that offers an exciting mix of urban coolness, Art Nouveau, and Brutalism. Next, I'd like to explore the Serbian countryside and, in particular, the country's national parks. I've also started learning the language, which I see as the key to getting to know the Serbian people."
What will be your main priorities during your mandate, and what would you particularly like to focus on as the Ambassador of Austria to Serbia?
"As the Austrian Ambassador to Serbia, my top priority is to support Serbia's accession to the European Union. We are convinced that Serbia belongs to the European family. I very much hope that, following the recent elections, Serbia will take further steps in this direction. We are here to support these efforts."
How would you assess current relations between Serbia and Austria, and in which areas do you see the greatest potential for further strengthening them?
"Austria and Serbia enjoy excellent relations. There is a significant Serbian community living in Austria, which provides a solid foundation for mutual respect and understanding on a personal level. Austria is also one of the largest foreign investors in Serbia, employing more than 26,000 people there. Economic cooperation is at the top of our agenda. There is no doubt that Serbia’s accession to the European Union holds the greatest potential for further strengthening these relations."
Which existing bilateral projects and initiatives do you consider particularly important, and where do you see opportunities to launch new joint projects?
"The bilateral projects are diverse and range from agriculture to social affairs and the judiciary to police cooperation. All of these areas are important and still offer room for further expansion. Our police cooperation along the border with North Macedonia, which aims to curb illegal migration, is working particularly well."
Austria supports Serbia's European perspective. How do you see the future course of Serbia's EU accession process?
"Serbia undoubtedly has the potential to make very rapid progress toward accession to the European Union. To secure the necessary support from all EU member states, a strong commitment to the rule of law and a dedication to reconciliation in the region are required. It goes without saying that the alignment of foreign policy - which, by its very nature, reflects shared EU values- plays an important role. The example of Montenegro, which is on the verge of achieving its goal of EU membership in 2028, makes it very clear that the EU is serious about the integration of the Western Balkans and that a genuine commitment to reforms and shared EU values is the key to success."
In the context of the war in Ukraine and increasingly complex security and geopolitical challenges, how does Austria see its role in preserving European stability?
"Austria is a member of the European Union and participates in its foreign and security policy. In a world where geopolitics is increasingly shaped by transactional thinking, it is important to continue promoting our fundamental values, such as democracy, human rights, and a commitment to a rules-based international order. Austria upholds these values not only within the European Union but also as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the term 2027–2028."
How are current geopolitical circumstances affecting the future of the European Union and its enlargement policy, and what does this mean for Serbia’s European perspective?
"The growing emphasis on power politics - in the sense that "might makes right" - makes it necessary for geopolitical actors such as the European Union to reduce their dependencies in order to develop autonomy in the areas of defense, energy, and access to resources. This entails the need for a more integrated - but also a larger - Union. As a result, the accession of the Balkan countries has once again come into focus. I hope that the countries of the Western Balkans - and Serbia in particular - will make good use of this opportunity."