Serbia: History

Serbia wins its independence after defeating the Ottoman Empire in the Serbo-Turkish war.

Following World War I and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, Serbia joins the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes.

The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes is renamed the Kingdom Yugoslavia.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Slovenia, Macedonia, Croatia, and Bosnia break away from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Montenegro and Serbia join together to form the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Both Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina declare themselves as independent nations. Widespread war and conflicts ensues throughout the region. The United Nations places strict economic and political sanctions on Yugoslavia in an attempt to bring peace to the region.

The Dayton Accord brings an end to the Bosnian War and the UN sanctions on Yugoslavia.

The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia joins the United Nations.

Leaders of Yugoslavia, Montenegro, and Serbia sign a European Union mediated accord establishing a new Union of Serbia and Montenegros, which replaces Yugoslavia.

Montenegro votes in referendum, by a margin of 55.5%, to separate from Serbia. Serbia responds by declaring itself the independent sovereign successor to the Union of Serbia and Montenegro.

United Nations administered Kosovo declares itself independent from Serbia. Serbia called the declaration illegal.

Russia and Serbia sign a controversial energy agreement giving Russia control of Serbia's oil distribution network in return for building a pipeline to transport Russian gas through Serbia to southern European Markets. 

Following a major economic downturn, Serbia receives a three billion euro loan from the International Monetary Fund and a one billion euro loan from Russia.

Serbia begins membership talks with the European Union following the signing of an agreement between Serbia and Kosovo to normalize relations.

Aleksandar Vucic, the Prime Minister, wins the presidency for the pro-EU Progressive Party.