Interview with Professor of Geopolitics and Energy Mr. Zeljko Jovic

Interview: Evgenia Stajlovskaya Photos: Peyo Pee at Allure Artstudio

“Prince Mihailo wants unification with Bulgaria, in the context of the existence of close ties and a period of fruitful cooperation between Serbs and Bulgarians… For this positive side of our common history, we have monuments to Vasil Levski and Georgi Rakovski in Belgrade, as well as a monument to our Prince Mihailo in one of the Sofia parks. They are not here by chance. The Bulgarians began their struggle for national liberation, spiritual liberation, from the Serbian lands and with the help of the Serbs. The first Bulgarian Legion was formed in 1862 in Belgrade under the patronage of our Prince Mihailo, who is the founder of the great idea – the unification of Serbia and Bulgaria. He was also supported by Napoleon III and many theorists believe that it would have been realized if it had not been for the murder of Prince Mihailo in 1868.”

Why did you choose to become a political scientist? Why did you want to deepen your interests in the topic of “environmental and energy” security?

• It is precisely the breadth that, in a scientific sense, encompasses political science (of which only theology is broader in scope), and especially international relations, that determined all my love for history, philosophy, sociology and some other interesting scientific fields, to be crowned by entering the faculty of political science and starting my path to the title of political scientist, and then receiving the degrees of master and doctor of political science. Through later studies, with the sublimation of what I had learned and the discovery of new horizons, focusing on geopolitics and geostrategy, I especially decided on “energy and ecological” security. Unfortunately, I turned out to be right, because more than 20 years ago I understood the importance of energy sources for the national security of the state, as well as the magnitude of the ecological problem and the modern ecological crisis in which we live.

• Can we save our planet from ecological catastrophe and how?
• Man was once afraid of nature and respected it, and during this period lived in harmony with it. Today, when we consider ourselves the smartest and that we have mastered this very nature, the extent of its devastation is striking, as are the assessments in which direction things are going. Along with all the measures being applied, if we intend to preserve the planet for other generations, in addition to the basic and directly necessary unity, a clearly defined common position on what to do and the consistent implementation of agreed measures must be clearly defined. The most important factor is the education of young people. From the family, through primary and secondary schools and to the faculty, we must work intensively on the literacy of our children, their knowledge of how to live with nature in a partnership, how to give nature a chance to spare us, because in the end it is she who decides our further fate. A major volcanic eruption, some other global natural disaster, the continuation of climate change, which could potentially become radical, can greatly change the fate of humanity and even lead to its complete destruction. But with dedicated work, faith in a better and happier future, with daily learning and with dedicated application of what has been learned, it is possible to achieve an ecologically acceptable living of people on the planet, to a peaceful and functional coexistence of man and nature.

• How do you understand the expression “social justice” and does such a thing exist? With what qualities and skills can a person succeed in this life?
• Today, social justice is talked about much more than it really exists in our society. This is, first of all, a product of modern life, the main characteristic of which has become the material side. Naturally, I cannot be unobjective and insist that one can live as we are used to, without money and without this material side, but it is a problem that this side is given the priority dimension. We think little/rarely about each other, selfishness has become far more pronounced and more aggressive in our lives, and this will necessarily lead to the alienation and distancing of people from each other. Here, in our beautiful Balkans, we still have the opportunity to sincerely laugh, to joke, but also to cry and show a dozen emotions that are a little forgotten and degraded in some very developed heavenly spaces of the modern world. The recipe for a good and peaceful life, according to my views and principles, is kindness, love, dedicated and dedicated work, and most importantly – family. It should be both our anchor when the sea is too rough, and our wind when we need to go through life with full force.

• Are you an Orthodox Christian? Can a politician be religious, doesn’t that contradict the commandment “You shall not bear false witness”?
• With your question, you have just expressed the opinion that a politician cannot be a moral person. I will remind you that since ancient times, the times of Plato and Aristotle, politics has been the one that has defined through the common interest, the interest of society, which was viewed through dignity. Yes, today we are witnesses that through the sphere of politics on the planet many negative phenomena and patterns are being drawn, that corruption, violence, authoritarianism are associated with it. But, in fact, each of us is the blacksmith of our own happiness. Each of us lives our life according to our own measures and standards. From there, I firmly believe not only that it is possible, but also that it is directly necessary, for the modern politician to be a deeply religious, or at least a deeply moral person, so that he can show others with his personal example where and how to go. Without this faith and hope, if it were possible, I would not be what I am, nor would I believe in the path I am on.
• Can a woman succeed in politics and in governing a country? Are women by nature much more emotional than men and should we “suppose” to obey them?
• I, above all, infinitely love and respect my mother, my sister and my wife, as well as all other women, whom I truly consider to be the more valuable part of society, whom I admire because of the specific strength and namely this emotion that they carry within themselves and which, unlike the part of men, they are not ashamed to show. Modern life gave birth to the emancipation of women, with the exception of some parts of the world where, for religious or cultural-traditional reasons, women are still considered inferior beings. This emancipation showed that a woman who has remained a lady, who is the backbone of the family and the pillar of society, is truly capable of taking on/starting a struggle with the most difficult state affairs, and of leading the state and the army itself with at least the same, if not greater, enthusiasm and strength in relation to the male sex. In this sense, I am a great opponent of those who want women to be subordinate to them. We should not earn our place in society through muscle strength, gender, or any other physical characteristic, but with the wisdom we have and the abilities and virtues we possess.

• What basic life rules did you teach your sons?
• Namely, what I have already spoken about. To be good people, to love and defend their country and their people, while loving and embracing all people in the world, regardless of skin color, nationality or religion. To learn, and with dedicated and honest work, with faith in God, to build their place under the sun.
• Is there happiness in money and what is happiness for you?
• I have already partially answered this question, mentioning that in modern society one cannot live the way we were used to without having enough money. The point is only in understanding that in everything, including in the attitude towards money, a measure is necessary. Therefore, one must know where the limit is. For me, happiness is that I can stand peacefully in front of my parents without remorse, realizing that they will never feel shame because of me and my deeds, but on the contrary – only pride. For me, happiness is that we are healthy, that with my work I contribute to the progress and normal life of my family, that I am surrounded by my family, friends and people who think like me. Everything else is an upgrade.

• What quality do you value in people and what do you hate?
• I think I’ve given you a clear enough answer to this question… To respect someone, he/she must have a broad heart, must be hardworking, sincere and open. I don’t hate anyone, but I avoid the company of self-centered people, who are the center of the world to themselves, who are idlers and liars.
• What can you forgive a person for and what can’t you?
• God teaches us to forgive everything and everyone. Of course, no one is perfect, including me, but I try, no matter how angry I am (and I can be, given my strong temperament), to forgive in the end.
• Is there a historical figure who inspires you?
• There are many great people, both from our Serbian history and from world history, who through their deeds have set an example in various fields, from whom I often draw both ideas and strength.
• Do you still have an unfulfilled dream?
• Everything I have done and achieved so far is because I have not stopped dreaming. A person without dreams and visions will not get anywhere. But the condition for realizing dreams is precisely what I have repeatedly emphasized, dedicated and planned work, and self-denial.

• What is your favorite book and which book would you recommend to me and my readers?
• My favorite book from my childhood and school days is “Hajduk Stanko”, which talks about the difficult times in which my people fought for freedom, in which even in the most difficult moments, love, strength of spirit, faith in God, human kindness and honesty were the most important. I also really love the book by our Nobel laureate Ivo Andrić “The Bridge on the Drina”, from which you can also learn a lot about our Balkan mentality and about the dignity and manners inherent in man. I recommend both books to you, and, of course, in my student career I most enjoyed the books of Henry Kissinger, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Paul Kennedy, Samuel Huntington and other greats of geopolitical and geostrategic thought and the science of international relations. Given the fact that in their lives, with their ideas and way of thinking, they have greatly influenced the foreign policies of the great powers, I recommend them to you, because even today they can provide answers to numerous current questions.
• When you meet God, what will you tell him?
• I will ask him, as well as every sinner, to forgive me for my earthly sins, and above all, for not having had the strength to be even better and braver.