Vucic: Serbia Knows Its Obligations, but also what It Can’t Do contrary to Its Constitution

Ursula von der Leyen, Aleksandar Vucic, Belgrade, Oct.31 2023(BETAPHOTO/MILOS MISKOV)

After meeting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Belgrade on Oct. 31, President Aleksandar Vucic said Serbia knew its obligations, but it also knew what it could not do contrary to the Constitution.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Von der Leyen, Vucic said Serbia had long ago informed all partners of its position and of what Belgrade could and could not fulfill, stressing that such Serbia’s position remained unchanged. Vucic also said that recognition of Kosovo’s independence was not a consideration, noting that he had repeated it on countless occasions and that it was not difficult for him to repeat it yet once again.

“We know what Serbia has accepted, which have been addressed, discussed and agreed on in the Serbian Parliament, and accordingly we take meeting our obligations with responsibility and seriousness,” Vucic stressed. He added that Serbia would be fulfilling its obligations, while also “expecting from some others to meet their respective obligations, which they should have done 11 years ago.”

Vucic further said that Belgrade was looking at significant financial assistance from the EU if it abided by its obligations. He added that Serbia had “a huge number of projects” for the EU, noting that in the meeting with Von der Leyen, he had heard “encouraging words” about EU’s “plan for growth.”

Von der Leyen said that Belgrade had to start implementing the agreements achieved in the dialogue with Kosovo, and Kosovo to create an Association/Community of Serb-majority Municipalities. She also said that the violent attack [on Sept. 24] in North Kosovo was unacceptable and that the perpetrators had to be brought to justice. She repeated that Serbia had to accept de facto recognition of Kosovo’s independence, which she had said in Pristina the day earlier, noting though that it concerned the implementation of the Ohrid agreement.