Vucic: Chances for Kosovo's Admission to the Council of Europe are high; We're doing everything we can to prevent it

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has emphasized today that the chances of Kosovo becoming a member of the Council of Europe are very significant and high, and that Serbia is doing everything it can to prevent it.

Addressing the public, Vucic pointed out the forthcoming political-diplomatic battles regarding Kosovo, reminding that on May 16, a vote is expected in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe regarding Pristina's membership in that organization.

He indicated that what Serbia is facing cannot be viewed in isolation and that there are three points.

Vucic pointed out a new obligation introduced to Serbia on its European path regarding Chapter 35, adding that the changed chapter is quite unfavorable.

As the second point, he mentioned Kosovo's admission to the Council of Europe, emphasizing that there is a comprehensive campaign of lies and flexible interpretation of Pristina's obligations, while simultaneously implementing various theories of Serbian leadership's guilt, stating that Kosovo will not become a member of the Council of Europe.

"The chances for Kosovo to become a member of the Council of Europe are high. We are doing everything we can to prevent that because we respect European rules, everything we agreed upon with Europe and the Americans. The first sequence was the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities, then after strange visits to Athens, there were changes to those agreements and conditions. They no longer mention preventing the expropriation of Serbian property and the illegal establishment of police bases in the north; no one mentions the CSM anymore," he explained.

He pointed out that it is interesting that the European Stability Initiative led by Gerald Knaus, which serves to create a smokescreen about the truth of what is happening and why Pristina cannot form the CSM.

"He says, 'Because Serbian municipalities do not exist.' They exist today. They exist even south of the Ibar because Serbs are not only in the north. These are people who accepted the election result with a turnout of three percent, and that was the peak of democracy. Because when you have a three percent turnout, that's the peak of democracy. And then they will say that we are the ones preventing Kosovo from forming the CSM and that Kosovo should be rewarded for it, while Serbs should be punished," Vucic said.

The real motive for Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe is new lawsuits against Serbs and Serbia

Vucic also noted that no one wants to mention anymore that there has been no trade in goods between central Serbia and Kosovo for 10 months.

"Everyone is silent about it, and that is a violation of all principles and freedoms envisaged by the CEFTA agreement and the Berlin Process. No one is interested in that," Vucic pointed out.

Furthermore, he mentioned that on May 1st, talks were supposed to continue about resolving the issue of abolishing the dinar, so that Serbs in Kosovo could live, receive salaries, and pensions, but Besnik Bislimi, he said, "doesn't respond to anyone in Brussels," the conversation will be organized later, around May 13th, just to give Pristina time for tricks.

Although the European Parliament has adopted a decision to enable visa liberalization for holders of passports issued by the Coordination Directorate of Serbia, Vucic explained that this decision is not effective because legal editing must be done, meaning that it will have to wait for the new EP to be formed so that they "graciously grant visa liberalization to Serbs," which Albanians from Kosovo have already received.

He emphasized that the assessments, heard also from rapporteur Dora Bakoyannis, although, he said, there are much bigger players behind her - that it is better for Serbs in Kosovo if Pristina becomes a part of the Council of Europe, are not accurate, but he sees the real motive from the statements of Kosovo's President Vjosa Osmani.

Osmani, he quoted, said that "after joining the Council of Europe, families will have access to the European Court of Human Rights, and they will be able to sue Serbia for violations of the rights to the lives of their loved ones, dignity, and other rights, so it is imperative that the process be successful because it will benefit everyone, especially families whose justice has been denied for 25 years."

"No motive shields minorities, Serbs. Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe only makes sense with the issuance of new indictments against Serbs and Serbia," President Vucic emphasized.

Therefore, he stated, Serbia is fighting to prevent this membership, although it will be difficult to achieve.

"Will we succeed? - Hardly, but the fight is not easy for them either. Kosovo needs the vote of 31 member countries, and we believe they will have between 29 and 33. Things are on the edge. We are fighting. Great powers are fighting against us, but we will continue to fight," Vucic said, adding that he had numerous conversations today on this issue, which he will continue to do.

When asked about the optimism of some that the decision on Kosovo's membership in the CoE could be delayed, he said he is not someone who makes unrealistic promises.

"Suzana Grubješich has a more optimistic approach. I don't. I have more fears, I have a bit more information. I don't like to promise people to rejoice over something. All options are still open, but the chances are greatest that they will adopt it. Of course, we will fight. Just because I'm not an optimist doesn't mean I won't 'fight on the field.' The situation is very difficult; it will be very complicated," he explained.

The essence, he says, is that Serbia was not given a chance.

"We went before the Serbian Parliament to accept their membership, not counting the UN and the institutions of the world organization, but if they implement the CSM. They didn't give us a chance. Because they know that Pristina won't form the CSM, because all along they've been playing games, looking for reasons to behave so irresponsibly and destroy people's lives," he emphasized.

Regarding the dinar, he said that they are putting the director of the Office for KiM, Petar Petkovic, and other members of the Serbian delegation in a difficult situation, claiming that foreigners have not shown sufficient willingness to compromise.

"They are constantly committing the worst deeds against our people, and then they try to validate it," he pointed out.

Resolution on Srebrenica is a Gross Violation of the Dayton Agreement; It Will Be Adopted by Overriding

Vucic stressed that there is no agreement within Bosnia and Herzegovina itself regarding the resolution on Srebrenica, adding that American partners are well aware that this resolution is a brutal trampling of the Dayton Agreement and the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is an integral part of that peace agreement.

He reminded that decisions in the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina are made by consensus, and this draft also required consensus, which was not achieved because in that case, Republika Srpska would have the right to protect its vital interests.

"In the United Nations General Assembly, for the first time in its history, a decision will be made on an act for which there is no agreement among the constituent peoples of that country," Vucic pointed out.

He added that no one in Serbia "had any idea about the resolution," adding that Belgrade learned about it on March 26 from German partners, who clearly stated that work on that document had been ongoing for eight months, but Serbia was not informed about it for a full seven months.

"I guess they should have consulted with us about it," noted the President of Serbia.

Putting aside all the shortcomings regarding transparency, he says, there is also the question, first for the United States - why they allow a brutal violation of the Dayton Agreement.

He also stated that Serbia has never hidden its condemnation of the crime in Srebrenica and against the Bosniaks, with whom it strives to maintain the best possible relations to preserve peace and coexistence.

"There was no understanding there. Serbs should bow their heads and be hit on the head. I decided to go to New York, organized numerous meetings, spoke with representatives of 111 countries, and will continue to do so because I am aware of the intentions of the resolution's proponents, the Germans, but also the official Sarajevo," Vucic added.

He also noted that when someone opposes it, a "campaign of the worst insults" begins through the media, analysts, and politicians. Personally, he added, he has no problem being subjected to lynching because he fights for his people because he knew from the beginning what lies behind it all:

"They seek legal and political consequences."

He also emphasized that the resolution on Srebrenica will be adopted by overriding and that there will not be a unanimous decision, adding that some will "vote for the resolution with great difficulty under great pressure, while some want to cover their silence about Gaza."

Regarding the statement by the President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik, he said he talked to him upon returning from New York.

"He then asked me to postpone the Easter Assembly so that we could jointly analyze the situation after the vote on the genocide resolution in the UN and make joint decisions. As far as RS is concerned, Serbia's position is known - Serbia recognizes Bosnia and Herzegovina as an internationally recognized state, recognizes its territorial integrity, but also the territorial integrity of the RS within Bosnia and Herzegovina, and also seeks respect for the Dayton Agreement," he emphasized.

Vucic repeated the question addressed to the US why they support the violation of the Dayton Agreement.

Konakovic was clear: The goal of the Srebrenica resolution is war reparations and a revision of the Hague verdict

Vucic also stated that the statements from Sarajevo that the resolution on Srebrenica seeks only justice for the victims are not sincere because Serbia shows respect for the victims continually.

He also stated that several countries have informed Bosnia and Herzegovina that they will not vote for the resolution because they cannot overlook the arguments he presented to them.

"This led to an outburst of hysterical anger from officials in Sarajevo, including Minister Elmedin Konakovic, who announced that Bosnia and Herzegovina would seek war reparations and a revision of the verdict," Vucic said, quoting Konakovic's statement that "regardless of the outcome of the vote on the resolution that, as Vucic falsely tells the world public, does not imply war reparations, but since he is like this, we will continue to seek compensation for war damage and a review of the verdict against Serbia. Indeed, this Vucic and this Serbia do not deserve an ounce of respect from us.Do I need to add anything?" President Vucic asked.

All this, he says, clearly shows that Sarajevo's goal is a lawsuit for war reparations and a new revision of the verdict of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.

He thanked everyone who participated in the great battle at the United Nations.

"We know we will lose in the end, but we also know we have defended the reputation of Serbia because more than 100 countries have expressed respect for Serbia because they know what is happening and understand it very well, but the question is whether they can freely express themselves under pressure. There are some, as will be seen in the vote, but not as many as we would like them to be," Vucic added.

All this, he added, speaks of a synchronized action with the desire of some of the most powerful powers to deliver a final political blow to Serbia, which, however, did not expect Serbia to resist.

"We expect both decisions - on the resolution on Srebrenica and on Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe, to be adopted in the same week, between May 11 and 17. The UN Security Council session on Bosnia and Herzegovina is scheduled for May 9," Vucic said.

"Thank you to Ana Brnabic, Ivica Dacic, Vuk Jeremic, Marko Đuric, young diplomats who fought at the UN and had the courage to oppose everyone," Vucic said.

He reiterated that the adoption of the resolution will open a "Pandora's box" with no end and precedents.

"We have judgments from the post-World War II period on genocide in Jasenovac and other killing fields, so we will initiate that. Russians and others will do the same. It will be interesting," Vucic added.

He also stated that Serbia will not rush with decisions, but a month after the end of these proceedings, it will apply for non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council.

"And we will defeat two NATO candidates, Lithuania and Montenegro. Why wouldn't we? These are people who not only want Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe but also want Serbs to be labeled as genocidal people," Vucic said, adding that a difficult fight awaits for the next 15 days, but Serbia will fight like David against Goliath, without a sling, but with brave and firm attitudes.

Xi Jinping to visit Serbia on May 7 and 8

Vucic announced that the President of China, Xi Jinping, will make an official visit to Serbia on May 7 and 8.

He explained that Serbia will be one of only three destinations in Europe that the Chinese president will visit, as he will also stay in Paris and Budapest.

He emphasized that he will be honored to host the President of China and open new topics with him. "We will initiate projects of accelerated technological development, in areas where we lack knowledge such as robotics or flying cars," he announced.

Vucic said that fast trains from China have arrived in Serbia, which will be presented in the coming days, and the construction of a high-speed railway from Belgrade to Subotica will soon be completed.

When asked to comment on the writing of "Slobodna Bosna" that he wants to abandon Serbia's European path and turn to BRICS, Vucic emphasized that no one should be concerned about "what Vucic dreams and imagines."

"I highly respect BRICS, but Serbia is on the European path and will remain on the European path, despite all the attempts of some who say they advocate for Serbia to stay on the European path, to drive Serbia off the European path. We will remain on the European path," Vucic stressed.

He noted that within two days, a new government will be formed, consisting of around 35 percent new people, pointing out that Serbia should be led by people who protect national interests and preserve traditional partnerships.

Excellent economic results of Serbia

He also reported excellent economic results, stating that according to flash estimates, the economic growth in the first quarter was 4.6 percent, and it would have been 5.1 percent if there had not been a major overhaul in NIS.

This, he noted, is a much higher economic growth than not only the European but also the world average growth.

Vucic also stated that the year ended with a deficit of 2.2 percent, while the average European deficit was 3.6 percent.

"This shows that we have extremely stable public finances. The current state of Serbia's public debt is 47.6 percent. The state of public finances is extremely good, in very good condition, these are not things that should worry people, not to mention the stability of the exchange rate," he explained.