AGP Executive Report

Wimbledon Milestone: Novak Djokovic beat Roman Safiullin 7-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals and notch his 106th Wimbledon match win, surpassing Roger Federer’s record—though he also faced boos and apologized for on-court “meltdowns.” EU Accession Block: The Netherlands says it won’t back opening Serbia’s EU Cluster 3 over rule-of-law concerns, joining other skeptics including the Baltics and Sweden. Defense Ties: Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić met Spain’s defense minister to discuss deeper military-technical cooperation, including work within UNIFIL in Lebanon. Youth Basketball: USA won the FIBA U17 World Cup 107-81 over Serbia; Serbian forward Nikola Kusturica starred with 37 points in the final, while USA’s Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje took MVP honors. Serbian Talent Abroad: Seton Hall added Serbian guard Mihailo Petrovic via the transfer portal, aiming for a bounce-back after limited minutes at Illinois. Mining & Investment: Minrex Resources says its revamped Serbia team is ready to push forward the Tlamino gold project after recent leadership hires.

Infrastructure & Logistics: Serbia’s Post of Serbia plans a major logistics and warehouse complex at Constantine the Great Airport in Niš, aiming to speed deliveries across southeast Serbia and the wider Western Balkans. Road Building: President Aleksandar Vučić says the Vojvodina “Smile” expressway section to Kljajićevo should be finished by end-June 2028, with major works including interchanges and bridges. Highway Funding: The Finance Ministry has redirected 1.174 billion dinars from budget reserves to continue the Rača–Bijeljina highway project. EU/Regional Politics: Serbia’s media regulator is criticized as flawed, while five countries block Serbia’s EU talks over rule-of-law concerns. Security & Society: A Serbian opposition group alleges ethnic-offensive posters targeting people linked to Gazimestan after Kosovo detentions and bans. Sports (Serbia in focus): Serbia reaches the FIBA U17 World Cup final after beating Türkiye 76-71 in Istanbul, setting up a title clash with the USA. Tennis: Wimbledon coverage highlights Jannik Sinner’s all-court movement and a junior default incident, while Serbia’s Novak Djokovic continues his Wimbledon run.

Wimbledon Spotlight: Novak Djokovic equalled Roger Federer’s Wimbledon record with his 105th men’s singles win, beating Arthur Rinderknech to reach the fourth round, while Jannik Sinner also advanced as the tournament heads into Sunday’s Round of 16. Belgrade Infrastructure: Serbia’s capital signed a contract for a “master integrator” on Belgrade Subway Line 1 to coordinate participants and integrate the system for safety and reliability. Environment & EU Alignment: The government adopted a Draft Law on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control, aiming to simplify and digitise integrated permit issuance and tighten inspection and transparency. Energy & Industry: OCSiAl will supply carbon nanotubes from Serbia for Volkswagen’s battery production via PowerCo, supporting next-gen EV anodes. Diplomacy & Space: UAE astronaut and youth minister Sultan Al Neyadi met President Aleksandar Vučić in Belgrade to expand cooperation in youth, science and space. Sports Culture: A record crowd of 8,348 packed the Türkiye-Serbia U17 semi-final in Istanbul, setting a new FIBA U17 World Cup attendance mark.

Wimbledon Milestone: Novak Djokovic matched Roger Federer’s record with his 105th Wimbledon men’s singles win, beating Arthur Rinderknech 7-5, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 to reach the fourth round, where he’ll face Roman Safiullin. Sports Spotlight: Jannik Sinner also advanced after defeating Jenson Brooksby, keeping the Serbian’s Wimbledon run firmly in focus. Kosovo War-Crimes Case: Serbian police arrested a man at Mutivoda border crossing over alleged 1999 Kosovo war crimes, with a 30-day detention ordered by a Belgrade court. UNIFIL Tragedy: A Serbian UNIFIL peacekeeper was killed in a mortar attack near Marjayoun in southern Lebanon, with two others injured. Media & Platforms: A regional study on Serbia and neighbors says social media and platform rules increasingly shape who gets news and how it spreads across South-East Europe. Youth Basketball: Serbia is set for the FIBA U20 Women’s EuroBasket with rosters confirmed, including Serbia in Group C.

Wimbledon Spotlight: Novak Djokovic survived Arthur Rinderknech to reach the fourth round, equalling Roger Federer’s record of 105 Wimbledon men’s singles match wins and setting up a clash with Roman Safiullin. Belgrade Diplomacy: Serbia’s FM Marko Đurić told Brussels it is “doubling down” on the EU path and said Belgrade remains committed to the Belgrade–Pristina dialogue, including the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities. Regional Energy: Greece and North Macedonia reaffirmed the gas interconnector timetable, with completion expected in 2027. EU Accession Politics: Hungary agreed to open another EU accession cluster for Ukraine but warned against any “fast-track” approach. Sports—Youth Basketball: Serbia booked a place in the FIBA U17 World Cup 2026 semi-finals after beating Lithuania 101-78, where they’ll face the winner of Türkiye vs France. Culture & Events: The Palić European Film Festival runs July 18–22, with screenings across Palić and Subotica. EXPO 2027: Serbia signed a contract enabling Bosnia and Herzegovina’s participation in Belgrade’s EXPO 2027.

Basketball Qualifiers: Serbia crushed Switzerland 97-73 in FIBA World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers, with Nikola Jokić leading (22 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists) and the team booking a spot in the next stage; the final first-stage game is Sunday vs Bosnia at Belgrade’s Aleksandar Nikolić Hall. Volleyball Development: FIVB Volleyball Empowerment-backed teams swept zonal podiums, with Scotland, San Marino and the Faroe Islands taking top spots in a women’s zonal event in Andorra, while Empowerment-supported duos also won medals at NEVZA beach volleyball in Bridlington. Economy & Markets: The dinar’s official median euro rate is 117.3652 RSD per euro, while the dollar rate is 102.4666 RSD. Belgrade Media Ownership: EPS became the biggest shareholder of Politika after converting debt into shares, holding 27.29% (14.67m shares). Elections Watch: SNS leader Miloš Vučević says both presidential and parliamentary elections are expected in the fall, with no candidate discussions yet. Sports & Culture: Wimbledon’s “all-white” tradition and Djokovic’s calm-under-pressure image keep drawing global attention, while Serbia’s own sports spotlight also grows with Rajaković’s Raptors extension (Serbian-born coach) and Partizan-linked transfer chatter around Vanja Dragojević. Business & Investment: Vero Holding announced new store openings in Serbia and North Macedonia, and Wizz Air says it will fight a possible Belgrade base closure from November.

Wimbledon Focus: Novak Djokovic steamrolls Stefanos Tsitsipas to reach the third round, firing a “vintage” performance and even pranking a ball girl before setting up his next match. Serbia in Sports: Serbia also secured a second-round spot in FIBA EuroBasket qualifiers as Nikola Jokic powered past Switzerland, while the U-19 European Championship saw Ukraine beat Serbia 2-1 to reach the semifinals. Belgrade & Governance: Serbia’s government adopted a 2025 migration profile to guide migration policy, and the economy minister says Serbia remains firmly on its EU path after talks in Brussels. Security & Justice: Montenegrin police and the FBI arrested an Iranian-Turkish suspect in a major hacking case tied to U.S. infrastructure damage. Politics & Society: Protests and political pressure continue as Serbia’s leadership faces calls for change, with elections and conscription back in the spotlight. International Sports Politics: Ireland’s football body is set to vote on playing Israel in Serbia behind closed doors, after boycott pressure.

Wimbledon Run: Novak Djokovic crushed Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the third round, firing 33 winners and keeping errors low—then turned the spotlight into comedy with a scissor prank on a ball girl and a playful call-out of Rory McIlroy in the Royal Box. Belgrade Diplomacy: Serbia’s foreign ministry says a meeting in Belgrade between officials and Greece’s ambassador reaffirmed long-standing ties and cooperation. Politics After Vucic: Serbia’s ruling SNS formally invited President Aleksandar Vučić to lead its election list and become prime minister candidate after he said he would step down as president within weeks. Regional Economy Watch: A Vienna Institute forecast cut growth expectations for Serbia to 2.0% in 2026, with weaker outlooks across the Western Balkans. EU Trade Snapshot: Serbia’s trade remains anchored by the EU (58.3% of merchandise trade) and CEFTA, which delivered a trade surplus. Kosovo Court Delay: Reactions in Kosovo followed another Hague delay: the Thaci and others verdict is now set for 16 September. Currency: The dinar’s official euro rate is 117.3522 RSD per 1 euro.

Tennis Spotlight: Novak Djokovic steamrolled Stefanos Tsitsipas at Wimbledon, winning 6-3 6-4 6-2 in 98 minutes to reach the third round and keep his record-25th Slam bid on track. Wimbledon Update: Jannik Sinner also advanced, edging Nuno Borges 7-6 7-6 6-4, while Mirra Andreeva’s title-defence hopes took a hit with a shock loss. Serbia–Chile Diplomacy: Serbia and Chile resumed bilateral political consultations after seven years, covering trade, science, police and defence, and reaffirming positions on Kosovo. Energy & Sanctions: Serbia’s energy minister said patience is running out in NIS talks involving Hungary’s MOL and a Russian stake, even as US licences keep extending operations. Belgrade Connections: Eurowings added direct flights from Cologne/Bonn to Pristina, Tbilisi and (from 17 July) Belgrade. Local Life: Belgrade’s “America 250” celebrations are set for July 3 with a downtown block party and fireworks.

NIS Sanctions Relief: The U.S. extended a 30-day operating licence for Serbia’s sanctioned oil firm NIS, keeping the Pancevo refinery running until July 31 as the Russian stake sale to Hungary’s MOL nears completion. Governance Oversight: President Aleksandar Vučić says a new online portal (“Ko Si Ti Bre”) will launch this week for citizens to report government misconduct with video and audio, aiming to add “additional oversight.” Belgrade Heat Risk: Serbia is under dangerous summer conditions, with forecasts warning temperatures could reach around 39C. Wimbledon Serbia Spotlight: Jannik Sinner advanced at Wimbledon after a five-set scare, while Serena Williams returned to singles but lost in her opener. Regional Diplomacy: Bosnia and Herzegovina’s High Representative role is set to continue via an acting appointment after Christian Schmidt’s resignation. Sports Integrity: A waterpolo investigation cleared players of match-fixing but charged 12 over betting rule violations. Tech/Ads Expansion: Coob Ads was named an official Google Ads sales representative across new markets including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Uzbekistan. Wildlife Rescue: Feliks, a Serbian imperial eagle, returned home after a dramatic kidnapping and illegal trade ordeal.

Wildlife Rescue: Feliks the eastern imperial eagle is back home in Serbia after a kidnapping and illegal sale ordeal across the Middle East, a case that spotlights the growing profit-driven animal trade and the work of local protection groups. Heatwave in Serbia: Belgrade’s streets were largely deserted as dangerous temperatures pushed toward 40C, with a red alert across much of the country and residents taking basic steps like water and shade while officials face pressure over work and remote-work rules. EU Path & Diplomacy: Serbia’s EU integration talks continued in Vienna, where Minister Nemanja Starović met Austria to discuss reforms and the next steps toward opening EU accession “Cluster 3,” plus plans for EXPO 2027 Belgrade. Sports—Wimbledon: Novak Djokovic advanced after beating Wu Yibing, while Jannik Sinner survived a brutal first-round scare; meanwhile, Serbian Dusan Lajovic was knocked out by Taylor Fritz. Public Oversight: Serbia’s equality commissioner raised concerns about alleged discrimination during St. Vitus Day events in Gazimestan, calling for an urgent independent probe.

Serbia Politics: Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić says he will resign in the coming weeks and call early elections, while BIRODI argues his latest pension-and-aid address was campaigning for polls not yet scheduled. Pre-Election Package: Vučić unveiled a €600mn support plan—higher pensions, salary boosts, one-off cash payments and tourism vouchers—aimed at more than two million people. EU Border Watch: Frontex warns that Chinese, Russian and Turkish nationals are misusing visa-free access through the Western Balkans as a route toward the EU, urging tighter visa alignment. Economy & Daily Life: The dinar-to-euro rate is set at RSD 117.3697, and Serbia’s exchange-rate news comes as heat and travel pressures mount across the region. Wimbledon (Serbian Spotlight): Novak Djokovic beat China’s Wu Yibing to reach the second round, while Jannik Sinner survived a scare against Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanović; Serena Williams returns to singles on Day 2. Environment: A record Europe heatwave continues to threaten Serbia and the wider region with dangerously high temperatures.

Serbia Politics: President Aleksandar Vučić says Serbia will hold early elections within 3–4 months and that his decision on whether to run for PM will be “transparent,” as protests continue to question whether he’s really stepping aside. Media Freedom: A new EU-wide monitor warns Serbia has some of the worst conditions for journalists in Europe, citing deteriorating safety and working conditions and high risk of harassment. Defense & Economy: Serbia confirms it will become the first European operator of China’s HQ-9 long-range air defense system, while Serbia also moves to reintroduce conscription from March 2027. Diaspora & Diplomacy: Serbian officials meet counterparts in Cuba and Germany and highlight continued support for Serbs abroad, including a business forum in Valencia. Sports (Serbia in focus): At Wimbledon, defending champion Jannik Sinner survives a five-set scare against Serbian Miomir Kecmanović to reach round two; Aryna Sabalenka also advances after beating Serbian qualifier Teodora Kostović. Regional Heat Crisis: A record heatwave is hitting Italy and the Balkans, driving wildfire fears and disrupting life across the region.

Wimbledon Focus: Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka kick off Wimbledon’s 2026 campaign with Serbian opponents on Monday—Sinner faces Miomir Kecmanovic and Sabalenka plays Teodora Kostovic—while Novak Djokovic starts his bid for a 25th Grand Slam. Belgrade Politics: President Aleksandar Vučić says he will serve “a few more weeks” before resigning, as ruling-party officials urge supporters not to get complacent. Protests in Serbia: Thousands keep rallying after the resignation pledge, including a major student and civic protest in Kraljevo under “Everything Is Revealed on Vidovden,” with fears Vučić could still steer power. Heatwave & Wildfires: A record-breaking European heatwave is now hitting the Balkans harder, with Serbia warned to reach around 39C and wildfire risk rising across the region. Economy Watch: The dinar-to-euro rate is set at RSD 117.3763 per euro, according to the National Bank of Serbia. Security in Kosovo: Kosovo police arrested 36 Serbs at the Gazimestan memorial complex near Pristina, prompting Belgrade’s Office for Kosovo to call it repression. Military Policy: Serbia plans to reintroduce compulsory military service from March 2027, pending parliamentary approval.

Protest Politics: Thousands of Serbs filled Kraljevo again on Sunday, keeping pressure on President Aleksandar Vučić after his pledge to resign “within weeks,” with many fearing he’ll keep power by shifting to prime minister and backing an ally for the presidency. EU Rule of Law: The European Commission urged a credible, transparent investigation into allegations that a sonic weapon was used against demonstrators in Belgrade on March 15, citing prior European Court of Human Rights interim measures. Public Accountability: A new NGO report says Serbia recorded at least 110 cases of war-crimes denial or dispute by officials in 2025, arguing the public narrative focuses mainly on Serbian suffering. Heatwave Crisis: Europe’s deadly heatwave pushed east, with WHO reporting more than 1,300 excess deaths since June 21 and forecasts of extreme temperatures affecting Serbia among other countries. Defense Policy: Vučić said Serbia will reinstate very short mandatory military service starting in March 2027, targeting men under 30 for about 75 days. Sport Spotlight: Djokovic drew inspiration from Serena Williams ahead of Wimbledon, while Serbia’s Teodora Kostović heads into her first-round match as a Wimbledon qualifier.

Serbian Politics: Aleksandar Vučić says he will resign within weeks and trigger early presidential and parliamentary elections, after months of youth-led protests tied to the Novi Sad railway station canopy disaster; he also floated an SNS electoral list called “United Serbia.” Heatwave Watch: Europe’s extreme heat is worsening, with forecasts of at least 35C for 191 million people, and Serbia among the countries affected. Wimbledon Spotlight: Novak Djokovic says Serena Williams’ comeback is “inspirational” as Wimbledon starts, and he also revealed plans to visit India to finally meet Virat Kohli in person. Sports & Serbia Abroad: Reports link Serbian striker Dušan Vlahović to Barcelona as a possible summer free-agent target, while Wimbledon begins with Sinner defending and Sabalenka chasing her first major of 2026. Regional Diplomacy: Bosnia’s FM Elmedin Konaković discussed the Western Balkans’ security and Russia’s influence at the Dubrovnik Forum.