Vucic Tells FT: We cannot be dependent on the next decision of the European Council

Aleksandar Vucic (Beta/Predsednistvo Srbije/Dimitrije Goll)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic believes the fact that the EU has not approved the start of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania despite their reform efforts vindicates his policy of forging closer ties with China and Russia.

"We need to take care of ourselves, that's the only way, that's the only approach. Everything else would be very irresponsible," Vucic said in an interview with the Oct. 23 edition of the Financial Times, which published the article under the headline Balkan Nations Bank on Regional Ties after EU Snub.

Vucic further said that it was now clear that in the process of joining the EU not everything was up to the countries striving for it, even though that was exactly what they were always told.

"They were always speaking, 'Oh, it is up to you, the speed of your reforms'... Now, at least, they are pretty much fair. They say, at least it is not all about you," Vucic said regarding the decision not to set a date for the start of talks with the two Western Balkan countries despite their reform efforts.

Vucic added that those countries should turn to regional cooperation more.

“We cannot be dependent on the next decision of the European Council, or whether the Dutch government will decide this way or another way, or the Danish government will do something differently than we expected,” he said.

According to Vucic, the countries first need to turn to each other, remaining on the path to the EU but not waiting for "charity from anyone."

On the subject of a recently signed declaration on the making of a cooperation agreement with North Macedonia and Albania modeled on the Schengen Agreement, Vucic said that previously Serbia's neighbors had not been interested because they had expected much more from the EU.

He also said that he was ready to harmonize VAT rates and investment incentives with Albania and North Macedonia, which, he expects, will create a market of 12 million people between the three countries.