Kosar: Serbia is an important partner for France, the resolution is not aimed against any one country or people

France considers Serbia an important partner with significant influence; thus, it is crucial for the two countries to strengthen and nurture their friendship within Europe, not only in the context of the past but looking towards the future, stated French Ambassador to Serbia, Pierre Kosar, for RTS.

Kosar mentioned that the visit of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to France occurred within the framework of traditional friendship.

"Our message when we hosted President Vucic in Paris was that Serbia is a substantial and important partner for us, a partner unlike others because of our history and friendship. This friendship obligates us today to have a dialogue of honesty, to listen to each other, and through this to respect each other," said Kosar.

Commenting on one of the topics discussed in Paris concerning a resolution being debated in the UN Security Council, Kosar says that France first and foremost understands how sensitive this topic is in the region.

He stresses that this resolution is not aimed against any country or people.

"It recalls the painful events from 30 years ago. This resolution aims not to point fingers at anyone, but to remind us that we want to avoid war and violence in the region. On this topic, President Vucic and President Macron have decided to work together, to continue cooperation to promote dialogue in the region and enable the Western Balkan countries to continue their integration towards Europe in peace," he added.

In response to the journalist's remark that the resolution specifically relates to the crime in Srebrenica and not to the suffering of the Armenians or the actions of France in its colonial past, Kosar notes that this is indeed the case, but "the resolution does not point fingers at any state or people."

"It reminds us of an event that marked the region and Europe. I remember the scenes from Srebrenica well; it was a recent event that left such an imprint because it occurred on our continent and left such an impression. This willingness and desire to remember that event is what it is. It is an expression of our will that such events should not be repeated. That is what this resolution means," he added.

As he says, it is essential not to miss the opportunity to use this chance.

"We must not take a superficial path. The right direction is to work together for peace," he adds.

Asked whether this case should perhaps be left to the court and why it is happening now, Kosar points out that those responsible for what happened in Srebrenica are today before the International Criminal Court in The Hague, and this is what matters most because, as he adds, it is essential that justice be served.

"That is what is most important. This resolution, and there are other resolutions at the UN, aims to enhance the memory and remembrance of this event, let's say, in the calendar of the United Nations. I repeat that it does not indicate the responsibility of any nation or state. The resolution simply reminds the international community that we must avoid the recurrence of such events," he states.

Asked if President Emmanuel Macron and France could become for Serbia what Angela Merkel and Germany were at one point, Kosar says that France has completely different relations with Germany, a different history, and immense respect for Angela Merkel and German diplomacy, but a different history and relationship towards Serbia, although there is the same goal, which is for everyone to eventually be in the European Union.

"President Macron holds a high opinion of the partnership we must have with Serbia. He said this during the press conference. At this moment of truth for Europe, which is facing a major crisis related to Russian aggression, it is extremely important for Serbia and France to be together, to defend, just as in the past, their independence. We can do this within the framework of Europe and to cultivate and nurture our friendship, not just in the context of the past, but turned towards the future," he said.

As he adds, this was the main message from President Macron to President Vucic and from other French institutions.

In Europe, he notes, France believes that Serbia has its place, among other things, because they are convinced that the idea of Europe's strategic autonomy is also Serbia's idea.

"Serbia can contribute its potential and resources to this. So, that was the main message of the visit. There are expectations, and of course, France encourages and urges Serbia to continue its reforms to enter the EU," he adds.

Commenting on the impression in France that Europe is tired of enlargement, Kosar says that France, including President Macron, aware of such fatigue, wants to overcome it.

"It would be a mistake to believe that we are now in some new stage, which will not last, a stage of the expansion of the European Union. We are at a crossroads in Europe, and Serbia must use this crossroads. We want this, of course, but it is up to the Serbian people to decide. We really want all efforts to be invested despite this fatigue, perhaps some disappointment, and to do everything to accelerate this process through reforms and a positive story about the European Union. From our side, from the side of France, we are fully ready to accelerate the path to enlargement," he stated.

Asked which country, in his opinion, might enter the EU first, Ukraine or Serbia, Kosar says that there is a certain dynamic, and that Ukraine still has a lot, a lot to do on its path.

"Of course, we admire how the residents in Ukraine have chosen Europe despite the bombs and all the difficulties. But Serbia has been working on reforms for many years to become a member of the European Union. So, there is no need to fear that there is some kind of race, and that someone will be left aside," he states.