Lammy: Necessary to encourage normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo

The British Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized, after meeting with the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade, that a stable and secure Western Balkans region is important for the United Kingdom. He added that Serbia plays a fundamental role in ensuring that security and that he discussed with Vucic how to encourage the normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo.

Stating that regional tensions make everything more difficult, Lammy said that he also spoke with the Serbian president about what he called the "unconstitutional actions of the Republic of Srpska President Milorad Dodik," as well as how to further encourage the normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo.

According to him, the United Kingdom continues to offer support to Serbia in line with what the citizens of Serbia express as their wishes and in accordance with President Vucic’s desires regarding the acceleration of Serbia’s European integration process.

Commenting on the memorandums signed today, Lammy said that one is key for economic cooperation and investments, while another concerns the joint fight between Serbia and the UK against organized crime.

"Our agreement today means that we can disrupt groups profiting from human trafficking in this way. We can also strengthen economic ties. Our bilateral trade is now over a billion pounds, about five times what it was in 2010. One of the memorandums of understanding we’ve just signed could support investments that might bring us to a total of four billion pounds," Lammy stated.

The British Foreign Secretary also noted that he spoke with the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic about "recent developments in Serbia."

"I have seen the large protests following the tragedy in Novi Sad, and I extend my sincere condolences to all those who have lost loved ones. This is a conversation between the Serbian government and its citizens exercising their right to peaceful protest. Allow me to emphasize that the United Kingdom does not interfere in these discussions," Lammy said.

Vucic: We agree that dialogue between Belgrade and Priština is of key importance

The Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, following his meeting with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in Belgrade, stated that despite the differences in stance between Serbia and the UK regarding Kosovo, both sides agree that dialogue is of crucial importance.

At a joint press conference with Lammy, Vucic emphasized that both Serbia and the United Kingdom advocate for resolving issues through dialogue and finding a compromise solution.

Regarding the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vucic stated that opinions differ on who is responsible for the current state of affairs in that country.

"I cannot agree that the unconstitutional actions of Milorad Dodik are the culprit or the only culprit for the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I call on everyone around the world to try to find a compromise solution, to seek negotiated agreements. I could talk for hours about cases where Dodik was not to blame, but others were. However, it has become commonplace since the 1990s to place blame on the Serbian side," Vucic said.

He emphasized that Serbia will always respect the Dayton Agreement and, in accordance with it, the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Noting that he has no intention of commenting on protests and demonstrations in the UK out of respect for that country’s sovereignty, Vucic stated that regarding protests and political events in Serbia, he is proud to say that, unlike in most EU and global countries, no force has ever been used against demonstrators who break the law daily.

"I am proud of the fact that we have demonstrated how democracy is safeguarded, how peace and stability in the country are preserved through maturity and patience, and we will continue to act in that way. In any case, we are confident that the UK and many other countries will proudly follow Serbia’s example in the future, ensuring that there is no violence or use of force against demonstrators protesting against their governments, just as we handle protesters storming RTS," he stated.

According to him, cooperation with the UK is of exceptional importance for Serbia, both politically and economically, to stimulate mutual trade and service exchanges.

He expressed gratitude to the United Kingdom for supporting key infrastructure development projects in Serbia.

Regarding illegal migration, Vucic stated that Serbia will contribute and work with the UK and other European countries to regulate irregular migration while respecting human rights and Serbia’s interests.

He also mentioned that breast cancer medication from the UK should be available in Serbia from October. Noting that these are very expensive drugs, Vucic stated that he would do everything possible to ensure they are available in Serbia by then because, as he said, the health of Serbian citizens is of great and special importance.