Vucic: In Brussels, they are afraid of Albanian bots, which is why there are no fair decisions

Aleksandar Vučić Hit tvit
Source: PrintScreen TV Pink

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic stated that officials in Brussels are afraid of Albanian "bots," which is why the European Union does not make fair decisions when it comes to relations between Serbs and Albanians.

"Our problem is with the Albanians because they (the EU) are afraid to make a decision that would be fair regarding Serbs and Albanians, as there are countless Albanian 'bots' working for so-called Kosovo, doing everything they can against Serbia—so much so that those in Brussels are afraid of them," Vucic said in an interview with TV Pink.

He added that due to this fear, the EU does not make decisions based on merit but rather on the fear of these Albanian 'bots.'

"They are absolutely afraid of them, which is why they don't make decisions they otherwise would, based on merit, but instead based on the fear of Albanian 'bots.' Anyone who wants to be fair will confirm this. None of the decision-makers in Brussels will contradict me because they know I'm right," Vucic said.

He added that Albanians act as a significant pressure group, while some in Serbia work against their own country.

"We have the wrong approach because we think we are big enough to become 'caliph instead of the caliph' in our country, and those around us are not a problem… That's how it was—just defeat Milosevic and six billion will flow in from Hungary, Kosovo is a democratic issue, 'standards before status'... And then Kosovo disappeared, Montenegro, the factories… They looted everything while we turned around and looked in the mirror twice," the Serbian president remarked.

Vucic on October 5th: They allowed the 2004 Serb pogrom, and Kosovo declared independence in 2008

On the occasion of the 24th anniversary of the change of power on October 5, 2000, Vucic commented that the positive aspect was Serbia opening up to the world, but there were "dozens of negative, terrible things," recalling that in 2004, there was a pogrom of Serbs in Kosovo, which unilaterally declared independence in 2008.

"They brought us complete disaster—national, state, and economic. They divided the people, pitted them against each other, threatened people from Milorad Dodik to other Serbs across the Drina, and pressured our people in Kosovo and Metohija to accept only what they dictated," Vucic said on TV Pink.

He stated that the then-government led to the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro and did nothing to help the Serbs preserve it.

"Montenegro left, and they knew that was a precondition due to UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and other matters, for Kosovo to secede from Serbia. Before that, they allowed the 2004 Serb pogrom and began negotiations in Vienna in 2006. By 2008, we had 'independent' Kosovo, recognized by 90 of the most powerful and important Western countries," Vucic pointed out.

He added that, economically, 500,000 jobs were lost during those years, while today, despite a smaller population in Serbia, there are 550,000 more formally employed people than at that time.

"Our country was devastated then. Yet, yesterday, 24 years later, on October 5th, we received an investment rating as a reward for all the effort and work to solve all unsolvable problems,  so we have a country that is no longer isolated but respected on all continents," Vucic concluded.

Credit rating – a badge that we are in the top league

President Vucic emphasized that receiving a credit rating is extremely good news for the citizens of Serbia, showing that Serbia is in the "top league."

"This is the result of years of hard work. It’s such good news for the citizens of Serbia that everyone else, who was expecting different news, is now silent. You saw a loud silence because all the stories about dictatorship, an autocratic regime that lies, and now we are the first to receive an investment rating, have become impossible," Vucic said.

He pointed out that Serbia is the only EU candidate country with an investment rating, putting it on par with Romania and Hungary.

He reminded that Turkey had an investment rating until 2012, but lost it due to poor economic management.

According to Vucic, the credit rating primarily sends a message to young people to stay in the country and that they can achieve much through hard and diligent work.

Additionally, he mentioned that money on the capital market becomes cheaper, making Serbia a more attractive country.

He also stated that most Japanese companies were unwilling to come to Serbia without an investment rating or even consider the country.

"A credit rating is proof that public finances are secure and stable, and it also allows our companies to borrow more favorably on the capital market. It’s a badge that shows we are playing in the 'top league,'" Vucic said.

He highlighted that a lot more work would need to be done to further improve the credit rating within that "top league."

Vucic recalled how difficult it was to achieve the credit rating, stating that every step toward it was tough.

On the Middle East situation: I expect a strong Israeli response in the Next 48 hours

Speaking about the situation in the Middle East, Vucic said he expects a strong Israeli response in the next 48 hours, with attacks not only on Lebanese but also on Iranian facilities, to show that October 7 should never be repeated.

He noted that the conflict is already impacting oil prices, which is concerning because a prolonged increase in oil prices would lead to changes in other global prices.

Vucic remarked that Americans would not want to allow such a situation before the elections, as the U.S. relies on three pillars: the cheapest fuel in the world, affordable food, and the ability for Americans to obtain housing, which they can pay off over a lifetime.

"I don’t think they have the luxury to allow this war, but it could spiral out of control. I’m not sure they will be able to control it, as they are already losing control of the situation in Ukraine. The situation on the front is no longer simple for the Ukrainian side," Vucic pointed out.

He also observed that among the Serbian people, there is a prevailing attitude that what happens abroad does not concern us.

"We never considered geopolitical opportunities, and we didn’t understand the power of the economy. Only with economic strength does Serbia also become militarily stronger. Our interest is to focus on preserving our country and moving forward as strongly as possible," he emphasized.

Vucic added that the Middle East is where "elephants fight," and that Israel has one of the world’s most powerful armies.

"What is the strength of the Israelis? Their soldier sends what he sees through binoculars directly to the command, which then selects the weapon to strike with. They have fully digital systems. These are the first digital wars being fought. Israel has significant technical, technological, and scientific dominance. We will try to change something in this regard over the next three years, to establish that type of operability in our military, though it will be difficult and expensive," Vucic concluded.