Vucic: In Best Case Scenario Dialogue with Pristina to Continue in December

Aleksandar Vucic (Photo: Beta / Emil Vas)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Aug. 21 that according to the best case scenario the talks with Pristina will continue in December.

“One can’t expect [the continuation of talks] to take place before the vote in Kosovo, which I believe will be held on Oct. 6. This makes the beginning of December the earliest [possible date], but before that it is important to discuss the lifting of tariffs,” Vucic told TV Prva in New York after his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

He added that the preservation of “status quo is impossible” and that it is essential to maintain peace because, as he put it, “if a single gun is fired, no one will be able to stop the thunder of cannons, and no one needs that.”

He reiterated that he has obtained support from the U.S. for the abolishing of Kosovo’s import fees on goods from Serbia.

Vucic also said that his meeting with Pompeo lasted longer than planned which indicates that the talks were serious and responsible.

“For me it was a very important and instructive meeting, and I think that I now understand the position of the U.S. much better, including their fears and concerns, and I think that they, too, understand much better our fears and concerns,” Vucic added.

He said that the U.S. will not change its position regarding Kosovo’s independence but that “they are opening certain doors and understand well the need and necessity of reaching an agreement whereby Serbia will not be humiliated and its interests disparaged.”