Vucic: We Will Protect Our Friendship With the U.S.

BETAPHOTO/MILOS MISKOV/MO

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Sept. 22 that there were many differences between Serbia and the U.S. and that "our American friends talked about two countries (Serbia and Kosovo) while we did not, but we are ready to discuss economic progress, how to work faster and better."

"Even though we might be at each other's throats, metaphorically speaking, with regard to certain issues we will continue to do that but we will protect the friendship between Serbia and the U.S., invest in our friendship, and preserve peace and stability in the region," Vucic said in a joint address with U.S. special envoy for dialog between Belgrade and Pristina Richard Grenell and Adam Boehler, CEO of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).

Vucic also said that "as far as politics go - we are negotiating in Brussels," but, he stressed, "I have to say that I personally like U.S. President Donald Trump's approach, just as I like the way that we talked."

"In the freest way, without bureaucratic obstacles, without any papers telling me or him what we are supposed to say. We talked about everything that we wanted to but in a different way. I think that the economy is key to the entire region's development, Vucic said.