Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin. The talks, the topics of which were bilateral cooperation, the war in Ukraine and the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, were assessed by both as fruitful.
"Dialogue is of great importance both for peace and stability in the region of Southeast Europe, and for the European integration of both countries," underlined Scholz, adding that the agreed obligations must be implemented.
When it comes to the war in Ukraine, the German chancellor's message is clear - he expects EU candidate countries like Serbia to defend common values in "such difficult times". Specifically:
"It is very important that we all send the same message that we cannot accept the war waged by Russia against Ukraine." It is a particularly difficult situation and precisely in such an important time, those who are in the same camp should support each other".
When asked by a journalist whether Belgrade will bear the consequences in the accession process due to its attitude towards Russia, the German chancellor replied that Germany "has taken note of the fact that Serbia has on several occasions in the UN General Assembly very clearly and unequivocally represented the position of the EU - that it is about Russia's attack on Ukraine and that it is unacceptable".
"Ironing" the fact that Serbia is the only candidate country for EU membership that did not join the EU sanctions against Russia, the President of Serbia spoke about the "legal and political nature of the conflict" about which Serbia "expressed itself unequivocally". Vučić assessed that Scholz was "very clear and strongly reiterated Germany's positions and demands." "Serbia has a different attitude towards Kosovo and that's why we have many other problems, Serbia was under sanctions for a whole decade and we have a different sentiment towards sanctions," said Vučić and added that Serbia understood Germany's message well.
At a joint media conference, Vučić emphasized that Serbia remains committed to the European path.
Soltz expressed his concern about the "secessionist views of Serbian representative Milorad Dodik". Vučić said that the conversation about the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the chancellor was open, but that they do not agree that only one side is to blame for the problems in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Regardless, Vučić said that he promised Šolc that Serbia "will not be the cause of any problems, and when we promise something, we keep our word, and as far as that is concerned, the Western Balkans will have peace and stability."
Source: FoNet, N1
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