Vucic Speaks with CoE Secretary General in NY

Aleksandar Vucic (BETAPHOTO/United Nations Photo/Manuel Elias)

In a Sept. 24 post on Instagram, President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic publicized his sit-down with Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset, stating they discussed “all key matters pertaining to Serbia and the region.”

The meeting took place at the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and, according to the post, was “an opportunity for an open and constructive exchange of ideas.”

“We spoke of Serbia’s European path, of enhancing democratic standards, strengthening institutions, the rule of law and protection of human rights – to which Serbia remains fully committed,” Vucic wrote.

In his address before the U.N. assembly – which comprises 150 heads of state and state cabinets – Vucic said that Serbia is “a reliable and predictable partner” but that “reciprocity is important” and that the country “will defend its independence as staunchly as it defends cooperation.”

Vucic also took the opportunity to underscore the importance of respecting fundamental U.N. principles and offered to host dialogues on all global conflicts in Belgrade. The president emphasized that Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija live in dire circumstances and that Serbia is calling on the international community to take concrete steps to stop the violence and ensure the safety and protect the rights of everyone in Kosovo and Metohija.