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The Embassy of Serbia in Vienna |
Contact
Address: Ölzeltgasse 3/7, 1030 Vienna, Austria
Tel.: +43 1 713 25 95
E-mail: embassy.vienna@mfa.rs
The Ambassador
Marko Blagojević
Marko Blagojević has been serving as the Ambassador of Serbia to the Republic of Austria since October 31, 2023. In this role, he represents Serbia's interests and priorities in Austria, working to strengthen bilateral relations and promote Serbian values and policies in the diplomatic arena.
Ambassador Blagojević brings a diverse background in diplomacy, politics, and public service to his position. Born in 1976 in Belgrade, he has accumulated significant experience in both the public and private sectors throughout his career. Prior to his current appointment, Ambassador Blagojević served as the Ambassador of Serbia to Cyprus from February 22, 2017, to October 2023. During his tenure in Cyprus, he also held the honorary position of Dean of the Diplomatic Corps from July 3 to December 5, 2023, highlighting his standing among his diplomatic peers. Ambassador Blagojević's experience extends beyond diplomacy. He served as a member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia from June 22, 2016. His earlier roles in the Serbian government include serving as Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2014 and as Special Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2012 to 2014.
His career also includes experience in the private sector, where he held deputy director positions in two companies from 2007 to 2012. Additionally, from 2004 to 2007, he led the Department for Combating Organized Crime, Terrorism, and Money Laundering in the Serbian Customs Administration, demonstrating his expertise in security and law enforcement matters. Ambassador Blagojević's educational background includes a Master's degree in Political Science, specializing in Environmental Policy, from the Faculty of Political Sciences at the University of Belgrade. He has also completed specialized studies in Political Science of Religion and holds degrees in Political Science and Management of Small and Medium Enterprises. Throughout his career, Ambassador Blagojević has undergone extensive professional training, including diplomatic and consular examinations, specialized courses related to counter-terrorism, organized crime, and money laundering.
In recognition of his diplomatic service, he was awarded the Order of the Grand Commander of the Order of Makarios III by the President of the Republic of Cyprus in 2022.
Fluent in English, Ambassador Blagojević's linguistic skills facilitate his ability to engage effectively in international diplomacy. His diverse background in politics, diplomacy, and security affairs equips him well to represent Serbian interests in Austria and contribute to strengthening the ties between the two countries.
History
Relations between Austria and Serbia date back to the late Middle Ages, when Habsburg rulers welcomed exiled Serbian nobility fleeing Ottoman expansion, and deepened through the Habsburg-Ottoman wars as large Serbian communities formed in Vienna and other Austrian cities. Formal diplomatic relations were established in 1874, following the Habsburg recognition of Serbian independence. The relationship was severely strained by the early 20th-century "Pig War" trade dispute and the 1908 annexation crisis over Bosnia, culminating in the outbreak of World War I. Ties resumed in the postwar Yugoslav era and were elevated to embassy level in 1953; Serbia's embassy in Vienna today also serves as its Permanent Mission to the OSCE and UN. Serbia has one of the largest diaspora communities in Austria, and modern relations are marked by close economic ties, though periodically complicated by disagreements such as Austria's 2008 recognition of Kosovo.
