Boris Tadić

H.E. Boris Tadić (born 15 January 1958 in Sarajevo) is a Serbian psychologist, politician, and statesman who served as president of the Republic of Serbia from 2004 to 2012.

He graduated from the University of Belgrade with a degree in Clinical and Social Psychology. During his student years, he actively participated in pro-democracy initiatives and opposition activities, for which he was arrested and sentenced by the communist authorities of former Yugoslavia. Prior to entering professional politics, he worked as a psychology teacher, researcher, and founder of the Centre for the Development of Democracy and Political Skills.

A member of the Democratic Party since its re-establishment in 1990, he held a number of senior leadership positions, including general secretary, president of the executive committee, vice-president, and president of the party from 2004 to 2012. He also served in several parliamentary and governmental positions. As federal minister of telecommunications (2000–2003), he initiated key reforms and modern legislation in Serbia’s telecommunications sector. Subsequently, as minister of defence of Serbia and Montenegro (2003–2004), he led reforms aimed at modernising the defence system and strengthening international security co-operation.

Elected president of Serbia in 2004 and re-elected in 2008, Tadić played a central role in advancing Serbia’s European integration, regional reconciliation, and democratic institution-building. During his presidency, Serbia signed the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union and obtained official EU candidate status. He also promoted regional dialogue, co-operation, and reconciliation throughout the Western Balkans.

Following his presidential mandate, he founded the Social Democratic Party and became actively involved in numerous international organisations and advisory bodies, including Club de Madrid, the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, EastWest Institute-Roma, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and several academic and business institutions across Europe and Asia. Boris Tadić has participated in democratisation and conflict-resolution initiatives worldwide and is the recipient of numerous international awards and honours. In addition to his native Serbian, he is fluent in English and speaking French.