Vucic: Moldova summit key for EU progression, energy investment talks
Serbia’s President Aleksander Vučić said that meeting European leaders in Chisinau is essential not only because of the situation in the north of Kosovo but also for EU progression, investments and energy. Read more.
European leaders met in Moldova for the European Political Community Summit, and while the unrest between Kosovo and Serbia was high on the agenda, Vucic was also keen to discuss other matters.
“It is also important for the progress of Serbia on the way to the European Union, even if they try to solve the open challenges with Pristina. Meetings with European leaders will help us in this,” said Vučić.
Regarding EU sanctions against Russia which Serbia has refused to align with, Vučić said such a decision could not be changed by a single conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“We had a short, fair conversation, but the decision on sanctions is made by the citizens of Serbia through their leadership. We made our decision in March 2022 and gave our position. You can never change anyone’s position with one conversation,” said Vučić.
Vučić said that Serbia has its policy and is an independent and independent country that respects Ukraine.
However, he added that “Why should I make excuses to anyone because we conduct our policy in the interest of our country? We will continue to conduct policy in the interest of our country.”
The president said that if these conditions remain, the subsequent increase in the price of electricity, which was agreed with the IMF, will not be necessary. “I’m telling you this now since we won’t be fools,”
When asked by a journalist what the European leaders discussed at the round table dedicated to energy in Chisinau, whether Europe is already preparing for the following winter, whether there was talk of joint procurement of power at lower prices and whether the countries of the Western Balkans will be able to count on help, Vučić said Serbian citizens did not need to worry.
“It was talked about, but I’m not sure that it will come to that, we asked for more help and support, and if there will be, I believe that it will; Ursula (von der Leyen) was open about that,” said Vučić.
He added that there are problems in the European budget but that Serbia has enough savings and reserves, so citizens do not have to worry.
(Bojana Zimonjic | EURACTIV rs)
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