AGP Executive Report

Spyware Row: Serbia’s BIA dismissed claims that students and opposition figures were targeted by advanced spyware ahead of March local elections, calling them “trivial sensationalism,” as rights groups and Citizen Lab say Pegasus infections were confirmed in at least one case. Digital Safety: UNICEF estimates about 20 million internet-using children aged 12–17 across 21 countries faced online sexual abuse or exploitation in a year, with nearly 60% of cases linked to social media. Elections Watch: Serbia is expected to hold a snap parliamentary election on October 25, with critics pointing to the electoral roll and governance failures since 2012. Kosovo Dialogue: Petar Petkovic said Pristina’s refusal to form the Community of Serb Municipalities is not a matter of will but of respecting signed agreements. Energy Deal: Serbia, Azerbaijan and state firms EPS/Srbija-gas completed talks on a joint venture for a new up-to-500MW gas-fired power plant. Environment & Fire: EU firefighting support to Serbia was extended after wildfires threatened areas including the Deliblato Sands reserve, while NGOs warn planning-law changes could enable construction on burned forest land.

Snap Elections: Serbia is expected to hold early parliamentary elections on October 25, after President Vučić moves to dissolve parliament in the coming days. Protest Accountability: Thousands marked 22 months since the Novi Sad railway station canopy collapse, renewing demands for truth and responsibility. Spy Scandal: Serbian activists and opposition figures say their phones were hit by advanced spyware (Pegasus and NoviSpy-linked malware), with authorities denying state involvement. Local Life & Economy: Belgrade plans a new 4-acre downtown public parking lot on leased BNSF Railway property to ease chronic parking pressure. Croatian Community Support: Croatia awarded €2 million to agricultural holdings across Serbia for Croats, aiming to boost farm investment and community stability. Youth Safety Online: UNICEF estimates about 20 million internet-using children in 21 countries faced online sexual exploitation or abuse in a year, with Serbia included in the surveyed data. Regional Diplomacy: Serbia’s top diplomats met counterparts from Guinea-Bissau and Ghana during the Non-Aligned Movement anniversary in Belgrade.

Spyware and Elections: SHARE says at least 14 people in Serbia’s civil society were targeted with mercenary spyware ahead of March local elections, including students and opposition figures, with infections linked to Pegasus and malware similar to NoviSpy. Business Finance: The EBRD extended a €25m-equivalent revolving factoring facility in Serbian dinars to UniCredit Serbia, aiming to boost working-capital access for local firms. Non-Aligned Movement Diplomacy: Serbia hosted the 65th NAM anniversary in Belgrade, with leaders including Ghana’s Mahama pushing for a “Accra Reset” focused on resource sovereignty and fairer development finance, while Serbia’s PM Djuro Macut and foreign ministers met partners such as Tanzania, Guinea-Bissau and Ghana. Local Accountability Protests: Thousands marched in Belgrade and Novi Sad demanding justice for the Novi Sad railway station canopy tragedy, with students vowing to keep 16-minute silences until accountability is delivered. Environment and Planning: NGOs Transparency Serbia and RERI criticized amendments that could allow construction on forest land damaged by wildfires, warning it weakens protections for burned areas. Housing Pressure in Belgrade: A report highlights how renting can consume over 60% of average salaries, while construction booms without solving affordability. Media Pluralism Watch: NUNS warns about public trust and reach risks as Serbia’s media landscape faces pre-election pressure.

Non-Aligned Movement in Belgrade: Serbia is hosting the 65th anniversary of the first NAM summit, with President Aleksandar Vučić calling it the “strongest bastion of multilateralism,” while leaders including Ghana’s John Dramani Mahama pushed for moving from declarations to action on climate finance, digital inequality, and fairer trade. Diplomacy on the sidelines: Serbian officials met counterparts from Nepal, Egypt, and Azerbaijan, stressing NAM principles and expanding cooperation; Serbia also offered condolences to Nepal after the recent disaster and highlighted student exchange via the “World in Serbia” scholarship. EU pressure over Mladic funeral: EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos warned Serbia that glorifying war criminals has no place in EU or candidate countries, after Croatia’s PM said a state funeral for Ratko Mladić would hurt Serbia’s EU path. Finance update: The National Bank of Serbia says Euroclear Bank has joined its RTGS and securities settlement systems, aiming to improve access for foreign investors to dinar government bonds. Culture spotlight: Niš hosted the premiere of Serbian director Vasilije Nikitović’s film “Motka,” while Montenegro’s Film Rendezvous expanded to seven days with international project development. Sports & society: Djokovic’s US Open first-round exit and health struggles dominated tennis talk, and Belgrade also saw NAM-linked international attendance and events.

EU Accession & War Crimes: EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos warned Serbia not to grant state or military honours for convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić, saying glorification has no place in EU or candidate countries. Diplomacy in Belgrade (NAM 65): Serbia hosted the 65th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement, with PM Djuro Macut stressing dialogue and respect for international law, while President Aleksandar Vučić said NAM leaders had the courage to build a path of independence and cooperation. Global South Push: Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ghana’s John Mahama used the summit to call for stronger NAM coordination and moving from declarations to action on sovereignty, peace, development and climate. Human Rights Update: Serbia will issue biometric ID cards to refugees granted asylum, but the Asylum Protection Center says this does not automatically mean citizenship or voting rights. Culture & Society: A Balkan music night in Greece’s Halkidiki featured Marko Marković Orkestar, highlighting Serbia-Greece cultural ties.

US Open Shock for Serbia: Novak Djokovic was knocked out in the first round for the first time in 20 years, losing a five-set marathon to Mariano Navone after struggling with illness and cramps. Robotics & Industry: Serbia opened Europe’s mass-production push for humanoid robots in Šabac and signed a framework deal with China’s Reliance Energy Tech for a battery plant in Indjija—both aimed at building local supply chains. Non-Aligned Movement Diplomacy: Serbian officials met counterparts from Indonesia, Cuba, India and Mali in Belgrade ahead of the 65th anniversary commemorations, with repeated emphasis on sovereignty and Expo 2027 participation. EU Border Tensions: Western Balkans truck drivers protested Schengen stay limits and warned of new blockades from September 14 unless rules are adjusted. Environment Watch: Tests near mines in Bosilegrad found elevated ammonium ions and heavy metals, raising fresh pollution concerns. Culture in Focus: FEST announced Lordan Zafranović’s Golden Cut 42 (Children of Kozara) will open the festival on October 2 in Belgrade.

EU Accession & War Crimes: Brussels warned Serbia that honoring or glorifying war criminals like Ratko Mladić has “no place” in the EU, after Belgrade moved toward a state funeral with full honors. Diplomacy (NAM): Serbia is hosting the 65th Non-Aligned Movement anniversary in Belgrade, with India’s Kiren Rijiju, Mali’s Abdoulaye Diop, and Azerbaijan’s Sahiba Gafarova among visiting officials. US-Serbia Pressure: A new US bill (SRBIJA Act) would open the door to sanctions and visa restrictions over Serbia’s ties with Russia, China and Iran. Local Politics (Kosovo/Serbia ties): Kosovo PM Albin Kurti says Serbian institutions blocked over EUR 2.14 million earmarked for Albanian communities in southern Serbia. Tech & Industry: Serbia launched mass production of Chinese-designed humanoid robots in Šabac, aiming for thousands of units annually. Economy: Parliament adopted a revised 2026 state budget, raising revenue and spending projections. Public Life: Belgrade Pride Week begins, with a Pride March set for Sept. 5. Sports: Novak Djokovic was knocked out of the US Open in the first round by Mariano Navone after a brutal five-set match marked by illness and tears. Security: Serbia says it freed two Afghan and three Turkish nationals from kidnappers in Belgrade. Disaster Watch: Nepal-Tibet floods: at least 4,793 missing and 919 dead reported.

Non-Aligned Movement in Belgrade: Indian minister Kiren Rijiju toured the Museum of Yugoslavia and Tito’s House of Flowers ahead of the NAM 65th anniversary meeting on Aug. 31–Sept. 1. EU support for Serbia’s wildfires: The European Commission extended wildfire-fighting help, keeping helicopters and ground teams in Serbia until Sept. 5. Robotics push: Serbia opened Europe’s first mass-production base for humanoid robots in Šabac, aiming for up to 20,000 units a year, with further investment planned in Inđija. Drought hits fish and farms: Extreme heat and low Danube levels are leaving fish in shrinking ponds, with wider damage to the regional fish sector and ecosystems. US sanctions update for NIS: OFAC extended NIS’s operating license until Sept. 30, citing progress on complex ownership talks. EU warns over Mladic funeral: EU rapporteur Tonino Picula said any Serbian officials attending Ratko Mladić’s funeral would send a serious political signal. Regional tensions over symbols: A Serbian influencer was detained in Split over Chetnik tattoos and faces deportation and a five-year Croatia entry ban. Sports spotlight: Kim Ye-gun made his Red Star Belgrade debut, while Serbia’s Loznica Grad 2018 will face Athletic Futsal in the UEFA Futsal Champions League.

EU Referendum Debate: Former Serbian PM Aleksandar Vulin says Serbia should hold a referendum on EU membership after Iceland voted “no” to restarting accession talks, with fishing rights and sovereignty cited as key drivers. Climate & Water Crisis: Extreme drought and heat are shrinking Danube side channels in Serbia to tiny ponds, threatening mass fish deaths and adding pressure to already strained energy, crops and river traffic across the region. Robotics Push: Serbia has started mass production of humanoid robots in Šabac in a China-backed project, with President Vučić touting new jobs and plans to scale output and link robots to AI and defence uses. War Crimes Legacy: Ratko Mladić’s death in The Hague is reigniting Balkan divisions, with EU rapporteur Tonino Picula warning Belgrade’s stance shows “identification with his crimes,” while survivors in Srebrenica say his legacy changes little. Election Integrity (BiH): Bosnia’s new scanners and election tech may curb fraud inside polling stations, but pressure on voters before voting remains a major concern. Sports Spotlight: Djokovic is back in the US Open spotlight as the tournament begins, chasing a record 25th Grand Slam.

War Crimes & Balkans: A UN tribunal says Dutch authorities will not open a criminal probe or autopsy into Ratko Mladić’s death in The Hague, while Serbia’s political fallout continues as Bosnia remembers the Srebrenica victims and survivors say his legacy changes little. Politics & Elections: A fresh wave of commentary argues Vučić is “stalling” an election that could end his long grip, keeping power for himself rather than preparing a real transition. US-Serbia Pressure: US lawmakers push the “Serbia Act,” proposing visa bans and sanctions over democratic backsliding and ties with Russia, Iran and China. Energy & Trade: Croatia’s JANAF wins a US sanctions licence extension to keep crude oil flowing for Serbia’s NIS until Sept. 30. Climate & Water: Extreme drought is drying parts of the Danube and hitting fish and farms, with Serbia among the affected. Disaster Update: Nepal–Tibet flash floods leave nearly 3,000 missing, including hundreds of foreign nationals; Serbia is listed among those unaccounted for. Sport (Serbian spotlight): Djokovic starts the US Open chase for a record 25th major, with health concerns still a talking point.

Montenegro-Serbia Tensions: Montenegro’s public broadcaster says Albania was not behind claims of a destabilisation effort, after earlier remarks by PM Milojko Spajić sparked reports linking Albania and Serbia. Diplomacy: Serbia’s foreign ministry secretary Dušan Kozarev met Greece’s ambassador Maria Levanti, stressing stronger ties in rail and energy, and reiterating Serbia’s stance on keeping KFOR’s mandate unchanged. Energy & Sanctions: Croatia’s JANAF secured a US sanctions licence extension to keep transporting crude to Serbia’s NIS until Sept. 30, 2026. US Open Focus: Novak Djokovic begins his US Open push for a record 25th major as the tournament kicks off in New York, with Jessica Pegula and Venus Williams also in the spotlight. Politics & Pressure: A bipartisan US bill targets Serbia’s leadership with visa bans and sanctions tied to democracy and rule-of-law concerns. Regional Costs: Fuel prices are rising across the Western Balkans, with Albania still the most expensive market and Serbia among the higher-priced countries. Climate Impact: Drought is hitting the Danube and fish industry in northern Serbia, with ecosystems and businesses under strain. Justice & Memory: Ratko Mladić’s death continues to trigger debate across the region, reopening old wounds.

War Crimes & Diplomacy: Serbia is preparing state honours for Ratko Mladić after his death in The Hague, with President Vučić saying the court wanted him to die behind bars and that Serbia will handle a “dignified” funeral if his family chooses Serbia; the EU says participation will be up to Serbian authorities. Energy & Sanctions: Serbia secured another U.S. sanctions waiver for Russian-owned NIS until Sept. 30, letting the refinery keep importing crude while negotiations toward a stake sale to MOL near completion. Wildfires & Politics: Russian firefighting aircraft helped Serbia during major wildfires, sparking debate over whether the move was purely practical or also a geopolitical signal as Vučić balances EU and Russia ties. Disaster Watch: Nepal-Tibet flash floods keep widening the missing list, with at least 2,478 reported missing and 586 confirmed dead, including hundreds of foreigners. Culture & Belgrade Life: “An Evening of Vivaldi” is set for Belgrade’s National Museum with the Belgrade Baroque Band and guest soloists. Sports: Djokovic eyes a record 25th U.S. Open title with Sinner out injured and Alcaraz returning, while Red Star’s Seol Young-woo is reported headed to Augsburg.

War Crimes & Diplomacy: Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić hit out at the UN war-crimes court after Ratko Mladić’s death, calling its refusal to grant early release “uncivilized,” while Serbia’s Justice Minister Nenad Vujić said Mladić will be buried with “full state and military honours,” with the family deciding the location—sparking fresh backlash in Bosnia and Republika Srpska. Regional Security: Montenegro’s PM Milojko Spajić’s “hybrid threats” claims prompted President Jakov Milatović to summon security chiefs for assessment, with reports naming Serbia and Albania as alleged sources. Disaster Response: Nepal-Tibet flash floods have killed at least 543 and left over 1,500 missing, including hundreds of foreigners; Nepal says it doesn’t need outside rescue teams as helicopters and ground searches continue. Business & Media: Telekom Srbija notified North Macedonia’s competition body of its plan to acquire Belgrade’s River Media, expanding its regional media reach. Sports: Novak Djokovic heads into the US Open chasing a record 25th major, with Alexander Zverev flagged as the key obstacle.

Himalayan Disaster: Catastrophic flash floods along the China–Nepal border have killed at least 359 people and left more than 1,400 missing, with hundreds of foreign tourists and pilgrims unaccounted for as rescue teams continue and officials warn of fresh danger from rising, potentially breaching lakes. Serbia & Region: Montenegro PM Milojko Spajić says it has “operational security” information about alleged hybrid destabilisation efforts as EU talks near closure, amid tense Serbia–Montenegro relations. War Crimes & Memory: Ratko Mladić, the Bosnian Serb general convicted for genocide and the Srebrenica massacre, has died in UN custody in The Hague at 84, reigniting debate across the Balkans. Energy Deal: North Macedonia and Serbia signed a gas interconnector agreement in Skopje, targeting pipeline completion by 2027 and possible network connection by 2028. Local Life: Serbia’s Danube drought is also in focus, with record-low levels highlighting pressure for long-term river management and EU-backed projects.

War Crimes & Justice: Ratko Mladić, the “Butcher of Bosnia” convicted over the 1995 Srebrenica genocide, has died in UN custody in The Hague at 84, after years of illness and a life sentence upheld on appeal. Local Politics & EU Ties: Montenegro’s PM Milojko Spajić warned that closing EU accession chapters could be paired with “hybrid actions” meant to destabilise the country, amid cooled Serbia–Montenegro relations. Media Freedom: Serbia’s competition regulator approved the sale of government-critical outlets N1, Nova S, Danas and Radar to Alpac Capital-backed ownership, as journalists’ groups demand guarantees that politics won’t shape editorial decisions. Diplomacy: Serbia’s Dušan Kozarev met Greece’s ambassador to discuss infrastructure, energy, and maintaining KFOR’s mandate over Kosovo and Metohija. Disaster Watch: Nepal and Tibet flash floods after a glacier collapse have killed 270+ and left 1,300+ missing, including dozens of Americans and other foreign nationals. Environment & Safety: Serbia’s firefighting response continues as wildfires burn across dozens of locations, with EU and Russian help reported.

Belgrade Culture & Lifestyle: A new Chinese-style tea shop, “Tea Talk,” opened near Knez Mihailova Street and is drawing crowds with Hangzhou Longjing tea, ceramic cups, panda-themed sweets, and ink-wash inspired drinks—turning Chinese tea culture into a youth-friendly Belgrade experience. Diplomacy: Foreign Minister Marko Đurić met the newly appointed Algerian ambassador to reaffirm decades of friendship and push cooperation in agriculture, healthcare and trade, including Algeria’s participation in Expo 2027 in Belgrade. EU Partner Focus: Đurić also met Germany’s new ambassador, saying Serbia and Germany are ready to deepen political and economic ties, with Germany highlighted as a key investor and partner on regional stability and connectivity. Sports Spotlight: Novak Djokovic’s latest documentary revisits his early Serbia roots and his coach’s pivotal role, while Serbian tennis fans also get a local angle as Iva Jovic talks her U.S. Open moment and next match. Public Health Watch: West Nile virus is actively circulating across the Balkans, with Greece seeing a sharp rise and WHO urging stronger mosquito surveillance and public protection. Tech & Consumer Market: Huawei says it leads Serbia in wearables and TWS earbuds by market share, and unveiled its Pura 90s lineup and new tablet and audio devices in Belgrade.