There are relationships between states that transcend the boundaries of politics and diplomacy. Whenever I think about the relations between Serbia and France, I get the impression that they belong exactly to that kind of bond. History testifies to an alliance forged in the hardest of times, in moments when the fate of Europe was being decided, but the present fails to reflect that closeness with the same strength or full intensity.

Traces of this age-old friendship are still clearly visible. In French cities, there are streets, boulevards, and squares named after notable Serbian figures, serving as quiet reminders of a time when the two countries stood together on the right side of history. The memory of these glory days has faded over time, affected by new narratives, while the ties grew weaker.
It may be more accurate to say that Serbian-French friendship has not disappeared, but that it has been dormant for a long time. That is why I am particularly glad that it has been awakening and developing in recent years. I wish to remind you that this year, Serbia and France will mark 15 years of strategic partnership. There are many examples of cooperation between Belgrade and Paris – from the procurement of military aircraft, investments, to the valuable exchange of rich knowledge in the domains of culture and art.
In this sense, the Serbian-French closeness cannot be seen only as a thing of the past. On the contrary, it is still being developed, but requires hard work, new forms of communication, and a readiness to open one’s heart and leave the framework of stereotypical narratives.
As someone who was born in France and found his new home in Serbia, I believe that friendship between countries can grow into a genuine friendship between peoples. This level of relations in foreign policy is often out of reach, but for me it holds the highest value. I heard the first stories about Serbia in my native Grenoble from my father, and I am certain that the French still talk about Serbia today, though not always loudly enough. It is a well-known fact that many freethinking French people, humanists loyal to truth and justice, were ready to stand for Serbia even when it was not the easiest or the most popular thing to do.
Still, one cannot ignore the fact that the media image of Serbia in France was for a long time built on negative stereotypes from the 1990s. This is a period that made a strong impression on the public sphere and shaped the way in which Serbia was perceived. Today, however, we can increasingly hear the other side of the story, which shows that this process, though slow, is still possible. The Office for Cultural and Public Diplomacy, which I am managing, is trying to make Serbia’s voice heard as strongly as possible.

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