Following a meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, European Council President Donald Tusk said that he came to Serbia with a clear message: “the European Union is, and wants to remain the most reliable partner for Serbia and the entire Western Balkans region. At our summit in Sofia, we will reconfirm our readiness to continue the work on a European perspective for the region.”
“I also know that you hate it when someone tells you what you should do. You have proved many times in your history that you are tough, stubborn and independent,” Tusk said and added: “Today, it is clear for the whole world that the future of Serbia will be decided neither by Moscow, nor Washington. Neither by Ankara, nor by Brussels. It will be decided only by Belgrade. The European Union is precisely the place where nobody imposes anything on anyone.”
Tusk recalled that the EU is the biggest investor, the biggest donor and the biggest trading partner for the region with more than 60% of Serbia’s trade being done with the EU, and more than 60% of foreign direct investment in Serbia coming from the EU.
“Still, we would like to deepen our economic relations further. We want to boost cooperation where it will have the biggest benefit for all sides. This means investment in roads, railways, and smoother transitions at the borders, or in the skies, as was the case with the EIB agreement that we have just witnessed being signed. But it also means more student and cultural exchanges, and eventually a reduction of roaming charges,” said Tusk.
He thanked President Vucic for his commitment to Pristina dialogue, describing it as a “difficult issue.”
“I know this is a difficult and emotionally charged issue. But it is also a strategic choice that will pay off in the long run,” European Council President Donald Tusk said.
Tusk’s full speech can be found here
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that he showed Tusk everything Serbia had done with regard to the Brussels Agreement. “We believe in compromise. I am not optimistic, but we have no right to give up,” said Vucic.
We should deal with the Kosovo issue nationally first, then with Albanians and then with the EU.
“So that our children don’t have to deal with it. I told Tusk that we can make a compromise, but we cannot accept humiliation, that is something we just don’t do. If we don’t open our eyes and grasp the situation as it is, we will do nothing but lose and put ourselves in a difficult position,” Vucic said.
According to him, he and the European Council President discussed the gas interconnection with Bulgaria. Vucic said they also talked about the Nis-Pristina highway, describing at is an important development for the entire region as it will improve contacts between Albanians and Serbs and contribute to economic development in the future.
“We discussed EIB’s projects in Serbia, the Nis-Pristina highway. Highways are designed to connect people; I never gave up on that idea despite the recurring attacks. That highway is very important, it will help the Serbs in Kosovo, it will foster links between Albanians and Serbs and raise the sales of our products in Kosovo even further. We want that highway as soon as possible; our section is 77km long, it will attract numerous investors,” Vucic said.
Serbian President said the EU was working on the reconstruction of clinical centres around Serbia, adding that the clinical centre in Belgrade would soon be ready for reconstruction.
“We have new projects. The reconstruction of local self-government is where our standards are dropping – due to our inability to take the money and new projects. I hope for fresh projects in the future,” Vucic said.
