Meeting of political leaders of countries Western Balkans within Brdo-Brioni Process, planned for May, was canceled after the Croatian president Zoran Milanovic estimated that "there are no political conditions" for the arrival of the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić.
He explained that Vučić's arrival is not possible at this moment due to "his recent statements and actions that damage interstate relations".
Milanović's cabinet said that Vučić's "recent statements and actions" contradict the goals of the regional initiative, which, at least declaratively, should serve to stabilize relations and encourage cooperation in Southeast Europe.
In such a framework, the arrival of the Serbian president was assessed as politically unsustainable.
Behind this diplomatic formulation, however, is a much more direct political message: Zagreb sees Vučić as a factor that destabilizes regional relations, and not as an interlocutor in the process of improving them.
What does Vučić say?
Reacting to this decision, Vučić tried to relativize its importance, but he also sharpened his rhetoric.
He said that he "doesn't belong there", but at the same time accused Croatia of participating in the creation of a military alliance with Pristina and Tirana, as well as in alleged attempts at a "color revolution" in Serbia.
"He didn't have to cancel the whole meeting but to invite his comrades from Pristina and Tirana, I wouldn't spoil that idyllic atmosphere. I don't know if it bothered him that I spoke about the military alliance of Pristina, Tirana and Zagreb or that I said that there are more missing Serbs than Croats, although I would like the problem to be solved for them and for the Serbs. Maybe what I said is that it's not exactly European practice to stop intellectuals and professors like Professor Ković," he said. is RTS Vučić's statement.
He added that he understood the decision to cancel the meeting and assessed that it was an excellent idea.
"When they are ready to hear the opinion they don't like, and not just listen to those who want to get closer to Brussels, then that dialogue will be possible. Until then, we will have to endure their attacks on causing a color revolution in Serbia, as well as their daily attacks and lies. They don't have to worry, Serbia will keep the peace," said Vučić.
The President of Serbia mentioned Croatia the day before, on Sunday March 29, in the context of local elections held in 10 places in Serbia.
Such rhetoric is not new, but it now takes on added weight. She practically confirms the reasons why the meeting was canceled.
Instead of calming tensions, the President of Serbia capitalizes on them politically, reinforcing the narrative about external threats and enemies.
What is the Brdo-Brioni Process for?
The Brdo-Brioni process, initiated by Croatia and Slovenia, has for years served as a platform for meetings between the leaders of the Western Balkans and the European Union.
Although often without concrete results, he maintained a minimum of political dialogue.
The cancellation of the summit therefore represents more than a protocol move - it is a signal that even that minimum is being called into question.
The next meeting of heads of state of the Brdo-Brioni Process will be held when the conditions are met, after consultations between Milanović and Slovenian President Nataša Pirc-Musar, co-chairs of the Brdo-Brioni Process.
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