Austro-Serbian alliance of 1881

The Balkans had been divided into spheres of influence, with Austria taking the western part (including Serbia) and Russia taking the eastern part (including Bulgaria). The treaty came after the railway convention of 6 April 1881 for the construction of the Belgrade–Niš section of the Vienna–Constantinople railway, and the trade treaty of 6 May 1881 which made Austria-Hungary virtually the sole market for agricultural products from Serbia and thereby dominant.

After the Treaty of Berlin (1878), Serbia chose to accept Austria as its patron since Russia had become a protector of Bulgaria. Nevertheless, the conclusion of the convention was met with resentment and opposition from Russophile sections of the political class in Serbia, including opposition on the part of the Prime Minister Milan Piroćanac.

Under the treaty, Austria-Hungary pledged to support the Obrenović dynasty, recognised the Serbian prince as king and acknowledged Serbia's southward territorial claims. In return, Serbia undertook not to allow any agitation or military activity inimical to Austro-Hungarian interests, which notably included those in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sanjak of Novi Pazar, and all foreign treaties of Serbia were to obtain Vienna's prior approval.