In 2003, Serbia was a central European nation located in the Balkans. It had a population of around 10 million people and its economy was largely driven by manufacturing exports. The country had adopted a democratic system but ethnic tensions remained an issue. According to computergees, Serbia maintained strong diplomatic ties with other Balkan nations such as Croatia and Bosnia while it also had close relations with Russia. In 2003, tourism to the country was beginning to grow as visitors were drawn to its rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes. The country offered numerous attractions such as Belgrade which showcased the unique history of the region, Tara National Park which provided opportunities for wildlife viewing, Kopaonik National Park which offered stunning views of snow-capped mountains, and Studenica Monastery which protected ancient religious sites. Additionally, there were many opportunities for outdoor activities such as exploring the Danube River or visiting Drina River Canyon which is home to diverse flora and fauna.
1991 Croatia and Slovenia resign from the federation
According to Countryaah.com, Serbia Independence Day is February 15. In December 1990, the parliament in Croatia adopted a new constitution which contained the right to withdraw from the federation. At the same time, a referendum in Slovenia reaffirmed the desire for independence. In the following months, the disagreement over reform of the federal system and the appointment of the president created an insoluble situation in the Yugoslav presidency. On September 8, 91, Croatia and Slovenia declared their withdrawal from the federation. It immediately prompted the Serbian population in Croatia to express a desire to disengage from the new country. The federal army, which had predominantly Serbian officers, intervened in both republics on the grounds that independence was a threat to the integrity of Yugoslavia. (See also Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina).
A war broke out, which in Croatia cost thousands of civilian lives on both sides. Entire cities like Osijek, Vukovar and Karlovac were destroyed and the federal army occupied about a quarter of the new state. These were predominantly Eastern and Western Slavonia as well as Krajina, which at the end of 91 proclaimed itself as “Republic of Serbia Krajina”.
In December, President of the Presidency, Stjepan Mesic and Prime Minister Markovic resigned. They were the last representatives of the original Yugoslavia. Neither Croatian Markovic nor Mesic were interested in presenting a 1992 federal budget that was predominantly aimed at Croatia. 81% of spending in the budget was to go to the military. By the end of 91, around 550,000 people had been made refugees – including 300,000 in the occupied territories of Croatia.
In the area that continued to call itself Yugoslavia, Serbian President Slobodan Milosovic strengthened his position through 1992, despite the fact that 70 generals and admirals resigned from the armed forces in protest against his leadership. He succeeded in a referendum on March 1 to get Montenegro’s support for the creation of a united Yugoslavia with the center of Belgrade. The vote was boycotted by the opposition.
On 15 January 1992, the EU recognized Croatia and Slovenia as independent states. Germany had been pushing hard to get this recognition through, and had already unilaterally recognized the new states. On April 27, the Federal Parliament, with representatives from Serbia and Montenegro, adopted the formation of a new Yugoslav Federal Republic consisting of the two republics and with a parliamentary-based government.
November
Patriarch Irinej died in covid-19
20th of November
The leader of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Irinej, dies in the suites of covid-19. He is said to have been infected a week earlier when he led a well-attended funeral ceremony for Bishop Amfilohije in Montenegro’s capital, Podgorica, who also died in covid-19. The ceremony was attended by several thousand people without regard to the restrictions during the corona pandemic, which led to harsh criticism from the Montenegro authorities. Even the memorial service in Belgrade after the death of Patriarch Irinej gathered thousands of participants in a small area.
October
New government is sworn in
October 28
Four months after the election, Parliament approves the new government under the continued leadership of Prime Minister Ana Brnabić. The composition of the ministers leads to a debate in the media where many praise the even gender distribution, while critics claim that it is just a game for the galleries and completely insignificant as long as the political power is concentrated on President Aleksandar Vučić.
September
Summit with Kosovo in the USA
September 4
A US-led summit in Washington between President Aleksandar Vučić and Kosovo’s Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti ends with a promise of softened relations. The parties sign a document that US President Donald Trump calls “a historic agreement”. Most outside assessors are more cautious and describe it as a statement of intent. The document contains, among other things, measures to facilitate border crossings between the two countries and ambitions to share water and energy resources.