Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić spoke from Moldova’s capital, Chişinău: “I shake the hand of a man who does not recognize the independence of Kosovo.”
Source: B92
Pristina and Belgrade are the main theme of the meeting in the Moldovan capital. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Vjosa Osmani spoke at the meeting.
The President declared from Chisinau that the situation in Kosovo and Metohija had become the main theme of the summit, alongside the situation in Ukraine.
“Pristina refused to meet the Serbian delegation, although we still want a conversation. It seems to me that it is becoming clearer and clearer who is responsible for the problems in Kosovo,” Vučić said.
Vučić emphasizes that he had a good conversation with Polish President Andrzej Duda, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Austrian Prime Minister and representatives of Montenegro and North Macedonia.
“I also spoke with the Italian Prime Minister, I spoke for a long time with the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. I spoke with many important people, and the main topic of everyone, besides energy and economic progress, is the situation in Kosovo and Metohija. “, Vučić said.
He says countries participating in the Open Balkans initiative will seek better access to European funds.
“There is a big difference, I understand that we are not an EU country, but this difference needs to be reduced, so that we can reach these countries faster. This is an important topic for the June summit What I would say is very What is important is that I have sent an invitation to all countries, as well as to EU leaders and EC representatives, so that after Granada and London “, one of the next two meetings will be held in Belgrade. It would probably be the biggest summit and a kind of crowning achievement of our efforts,” Vučić said and added:
“I expect to see Scholtz and Macron here, and in Belgrade next month we will have countless visits, Morawiecki, the Benelux troika, the Slovenian president… there will be many, I am also waiting for a new one Open Balkans meeting, we will have to work even harder to preserve Serbia’s interests.”
President Vučić noted that he had spoken briefly with Volodymyr Zelensky and added that Ukraine does not recognize the independence of Kosovo and Metohija.
“We had a fair conversation, but the decision on sanctions is made by Serbian citizens, through their leaders, and we made our decision in March 2022 and stated our position. And you can never change your position by only one conversation. Serbia has its own politics, Serbia is an independent country and Serbia respects its interests,” Vučić said.
Vučić did not specify whether Zelensky opposed Serbia’s principled policy regarding the introduction of sanctions against Russia.
“You always ask the question as if we have to justify ourselves to someone. Why, because we carry out our policy in the interests of our country? We will continue to do so,” Vučić said.
He also responded to the German journalist that this summit is important because of many issues, but also because of the situation in Kosovo and Metohija.
“In an hour or two I will have a big meeting with Scholtz, Macron and Borrell. We will do everything possible to defuse the situation. We are working to calm the situation and avoid provocations in the future,” Vučić said.
The president says he can’t talk about a “road map” because the other side always disrupts all plans.
President Vučić also said that he wanted to speak to Vjosa Osmani, but she refused.
“We want negotiations, I wanted to speak with Vjosa Osmani, but she refused. What is wrong with dialogue, compromise? This does not surprise us. It is about stability and the future of the whole of Europe, not just our region,” Vučić said.
Vučić asked whether in the history of elections in the world there had been legitimate and democratic elections and whether the turnout was 3 percent.
“Then they caused tensions and they insist on holding these fake elections. Everyone insists on it, not just us. It’s a shame for European democracy, not only for us but for everyone. Everyone understood what was happening,” Vučić said.
The president says he spoke separately with Macron and Scholz and that a big meeting will follow soon.
He later told foreign journalists that he had discussed the territorial integrity of Serbia and Ukraine with Zelensky.
“I can’t reveal more,” Vucic said.
The President stressed, regarding the situation in Kosovo and Metohija, that it is not a question of pressure but of a solution.
“Imagine, now they have jumped that I spoke with Zelensky. And if I do not meet a man who does not recognize the Republic of Kosovo. Everyone wants Serbia to act extremist, without recognizing its interests. If I am the only one who defends our interests, I will be the only one to do so. Shouldn’t I reach out to a man who does not recognize Kosovo? he said.
Vučić said that tomorrow the parliamentary session will take place in Priština, in order to emphasize their anti-Serb position even more strongly.
“Today they had a meeting in Mitrovica, a senseless and stupid meeting, I don’t understand why they are doing this. Maybe they think they are doing well in the international community. I will see Scholtz and Macron here today, and I hope that Mateusz Morawiecki will be in Belgrade soon. I am also waiting in Belgrade for the Benelux trio, the Indian president, the Slovenian president. Next month we will have countless visits to Belgrade, there will be a certain number of them,” the president said.
He emphasizes that we will have to work harder and harder for Serbia’s interests.
“I am waiting for an important meeting, then I will talk about the expectations of the great powers,” Vučić said.
The president told foreign journalists that the real question is how to de-escalate the situation.
“This is the first question, I will talk about it with Macron and Scholz. The second question is how to avoid provocations in the future. And the third is the formation of the CSM, which was agreed 10 years ago , but that hasn’t been It’s very simple, and I think we can all agree on that. People now have a real idea of what’s going on in the Balkans, regardless of who recognized or not Kosovo and Metohija. We have always been called guilty countries, but I think now everyone understands that things are not that simple,” he said.
Vučić emphasizes that he does not want to talk about deadlines, because it is necessary to find a long-term solution.
“We don’t need good wishes, but for the people of the Balkans to understand that compromise is not a bad word. Everyone is radicalized, even in your countries. We need to find compromise solutions,” said President.
He says Western Balkan countries have asked for more energy aid, but he is not sure if this will come to fruition.
“We have money and reserves, citizens do not have to worry. If things stay like this, we will not need a further increase in the price of electricity, as has been agreed with the IMF. We will not allow us to create an opportunity for others to attract investors through lower energy prices. This is what gives Serbia an advantage over all other countries in the Balkans”, concluded President Vučić in his speech.
