The End of the Turkish-Serbian Rappochement?

After nine years of significantly improved relations between Turkey and Serbia, we have recently been faced with a renewed deterioration of these relations. This paper analyzes the reasons for this new trend and finds them primarily in the areas of armaments, arms trade, and security, as well as in the dynamic and chaotic international order. A brief overview of the relations between Belgrade and Ankara over the past few decades is provided, and current economic, trade, and cultural relations are examined. The reasons why there is a conviction in Belgrade that Turkey is starting to play a more offensive role in the Balkans through Balkan Muslims are presented as well. The article concludes by highlighting the absence of a permanent social and academic infrastructure for dialogue between Turkish and Serbian actors that would proactively identify potential issues and work towards their resolution.