Belgrade, January 28, 2021 – The Serbian-American Friendship Congress (SAFC) and the public opinion research agency "Faktor Plus" presented the results of the survey titled "The Attitude of Serbian Citizens Toward the USA," conducted in celebration of the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Serbia and the United States. The presentation was attended by SAFC members and founders, including Member of Parliament Vladimir Marinković, Faktor Plus Director Vladimir Pejić, Serbian National Assembly President Ivica Dačić, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Zorana Mihajlović, Finance Ministry Advisor Ognjen Popović, and U.S. Deputy Ambassador to Serbia Gabriel Escobar.
The "Faktor Plus" survey revealed that 20.9% of respondents have a positive view of the United States, while 39% hold a negative view. The main reasons cited include the U.S. stance towards Serbia over the past 30 years (42.7%), media influence (32.8%), historical relations (25.8%), and opinions from friends, family, and colleagues (17.3%). When asked if their opinion of the U.S. had changed over time, 46% said no, while 28% reported a change. Reasons for changes include the 1999 bombing (58.5%) and the American stance on Kosovo (37.7%). A third of respondents (33.5%) cited pressure to recognize Kosovo's unilateral independence as a reason for their changed view. Additionally, 23.1% said their opinion shifted due to Trump's administration, and 13.2% attributed it to U.S. sanctions against Russia.
Regarding the direction of future U.S.-Serbia relations, 30.2% of respondents felt it was neither good nor bad, while 18.9% thought it was somewhat negative. Only 4.7% felt the relationship was good, 16.1% somewhat good, and 18% explicitly negative. Looking ahead 5 to 10 years, 28.1% expect relations to deteriorate, 25.4% anticipate continued improvement, 20.6% hope for a restoration of the strong friendship seen during the World Wars, and 13.5% wish for a pivot away from the U.S. and the West toward closer ties with Russia and China.
Regarding expectations from the U.S. in relation to Serbian interests, 37.5% expect support for Serbia's economic development, 21.3% seek U.S. support in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, and 14.1% hope for a mutually acceptable compromise in the dialogue.
Concerning the new U.S. administration, 32.1% of respondents believe the Biden administration will not focus on Serbia, while 20.6% expect it to continue where the Trump administration left off. On the direction of U.S.-Serbia relations, 40.7% advocate for increased economic exchange, and 29.7% support enhanced scientific and technological cooperation.
Comparing current U.S. Ambassador to Serbia, Anthony Godfrey, with his predecessors, 43.4% view him as similar, while 12.2% and 9.2% see him as somewhat better or better, respectively. Regarding the current Serbian government’s relations with the U.S., 35.9% believe they remain the same, while 15.5% and 23.8% think they are better or somewhat better.
When asked if Serbia should have a dedicated office for U.S. relations like those for the EU, Russia, and China, 43% supported the idea, 31% opposed it, and 26.6% were unsure. Opinions on a strategic partnership with the U.S. were mixed: 18.9% saw it as somewhat beneficial, while 16.1% thought it was somewhat unbeneficial.
On the 1999 bombing, 62% blame the U.S., and 48.8% expect compensation for victims’ families. Regarding the Washington Agreement, 43% had heard of it, with 28.9% viewing it positively. About 33.3% think the Biden administration will partially implement it, while 18.3% believe it won’t be implemented at all. Opinions on the International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) were varied: 21.1% were unsure, 18.3% viewed it positively, and 34.2% had no opinion.
The survey, conducted from December 15 to 31, 2020, involved 1,532 respondents via telephone interviews.
