Ex PM Vucevic: It’d Be Good To See Western Balkans Join the EU as a Whole

Milos Vucevic (BETAPHOTO/MILOS MISKOV)

Milos Vucevic, the Serbian president’s advisor for regional issues and former prime minister, on Dec. 16 said it would be good to see the Western Balkans integrated as a whole into the European Union (EU), adding that he wished the Balkan nations were “allowed to talk and reach agreements among themselves.” 

Speaking to state public broadcaster RTS, Vucevic said that “various worrywarts” had been banning the Balkan nations from establishing harmonious relations, adding that Serbia was still striving to have good ties with all, while maintaining respect for itself.

According to him, the Serbian government representatives “do not have a foot in several camps,” and were guided only by national interests.

Vucevic further said that Serbia respected all its neighbors, noting that the Open Balkan served as a good example of cooperation.

He stressed that Republika Srpska could count on Serbia-s help, consideration and due respect.

Asked about the developments regarding the US sanctions against oil and gas company Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS), Vucevic said that Belgrade had the resources and a solution for the current situation, adding that a resolution would be found by January 15.

Vucevic, who is also the ruling Serbian Progressive Party leader, said that all Serbs in Kosovo should use their voting right in the upcoming snap parliamentary elections scheduled for Dec. 28, and give their support to the Serb List, a Serb political party in Kosovo. “The Serb List is the authentic political representative of the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija (...) The Serb List is the political option that best articulates the interests of the Serbs in that area,” Vucevic said.