Vucic: Croatia and Slovenia in Brussels supported lifting sanctions against Pristina as a gift to Kurti ahead of elections

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated that a few days ago, at the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas unexpectedly presented a proposal to lift the sanctions against Kosovo, which, he said, was immediately supported by Croatia and Slovenia, while Hungary and France opposed it.

“Suddenly Kaja Kallas raised the issue of lifting the sanctions against Pristina, even though there had been no consultations. The biggest supporters—Croatia and Slovenia— backed it instantly. A wonderful Christmas gift, since Kurti has elections on 28 December; they want to help him win,” Vucic told TV Informer.

He underlined that the proposal failed because of France and Hungary, which firmly opposed it.

“We must also say that the French were there as well. But some do not want to mention that, because they don’t like it. Everyone likes the Hungarians because of Viktor Orbán, but no one wants to say that the French are also on our side—yet they are,” the Serbian President noted.

He also conveyed that Italy has sent a letter requesting the opening of Cluster 3 for Serbia.

“There will be a group of countries before the EU Council pushing for the opening of Cluster 3 for us. These are our friends—France and Italy—despite all the differences we have regarding Kosovo. Why are we turning (German Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman) Johann Wadephul into an enemy? He is not an enemy of Serbia,” Vucic said.

Addressing media reports that “Wadephul wants to push Serbia into a war with Russia,” Vucic stated that this is untrue.

“They say he wants us to go to war against Russia. That is not true. Johann Wadephul has been my friend for 15 years. I had an excellent conversation with him. A TV station made a mistake saying, ‘what else would they discuss other than arming Ukraine?’ We didn’t even mention it. It wasn’t a topic with Macron either,” Vucic stressed.

He added, however, that Serbia and Croatia will have to achieve significantly better relations, even though Croatia will “do everything it can” to work against Serbia’s interests.

Responding to the suggestion that someone is attempting to provoke artificial tensions in the region, Vucic said that Croatia knows this is the last moment, as it has achieved all of its strategic goals except the most important one—destroying Serbia and harming Serbs.

“They entered NATO, entered the EU, and worked to weaken Serbia. They are always the first to help Pristina, to help Sarajevo—anyone against Belgrade. To help Podgorica against Belgrade—but that does not mean those others respect them. They will humiliate them. Just as they humiliated them with the banner in the stadium… The worst humiliations, and they know their politicians must remain silent,” Vucic remarked.

He added that Croatia still refuses to acknowledge the key fact—that there are more missing Serbs than missing Croats.

“They still won’t tell you that, according to official Red Cross records in Geneva, there are more missing Serbs in Croatia than missing Croats. They keep talking only about missing Croats, without even mentioning missing Serbs. They must deliver results and show us where the missing Serbs are,” Vucic underlined.

He did not deny, he said, that there are missing Croats, but noted that the number of missing Serbs is greater.

“They won’t even admit that Serbs are missing—let alone that there are more of them… People in the region, international officials, cannot seem to hear this,” he repeated.
According to Vucic, Croatia does this because it must find a reason to obstruct Serbia on its EU path.

“And I still ask them why they formed a military alliance with Pristina and Tirana. No answer. After that, a bilateral alliance with Slovenia. Why are you inviting the Bulgarians? Against whom is this alliance? Why are you arming yourselves?” Vucic asked.

Better relations with Croatia will be possible once Zagreb understands that Serbia cannot be destroyed, he said.

He reiterated that Croatia’s main goal is to block Serbia’s accession to the European Union, even though they will not admit it.

Vucic noted that many do not want Serbia in the EU—not just Croatia—and will do everything to prevent Serbia from becoming a member.

“It is up to us to succeed,” Vucic stated.

He believes Serbia has a good opportunity to accelerate its European path if it understands what it must do.

“But my wish is not for us to enter alone and be ahead of others. My wish is that, if possible, we all enter together,” the President said.

He emphasized that this is the only approach that makes sense.

“Does it make sense for one part of our people to be in the EU and another part outside it? What about Serbs in Semberija? What will Bosniaks do with BiH or Polimlje? Albanians in Tuzi or North Macedonia?

These will be sources of future conflicts… Not to mention us and Albanians in Kosovo,” Vucic pointed out.

He added that once borders open, everyone will interpret it in their own way, but at least all will be part of Europe, and there will be peace.

“No border at Jarinje or Brnjak, Albanians from Konculj going to Pristina to work without checkpoints. Serbs from Kosovo entering their Serbia without checkpoints, even if some of them see Kosovo separately, like Rasic… I’m not sure people are ready for that, nor that it is realistic, but it would be the fairest solution,” Vucic said.

He added that EU accession is always a political decision.

On the question of NIS, he announced that he would address the public on Sunday or Monday to explain what is happening.

“I am concerned, but I don’t think citizens should be. Not because nothing is happening—things are happening—but I’m not sure OFAC will accept it so easily,” Vucic said.

He noted that he will offer something he believes the American partners will not be able to refuse.

“If they want a partnership, if they want to show friendly relations in any capacity, they will have to hear my words and take them into account. That is why I believe everything will be fine. They have received letters from several eminent companies that want to acquire ownership in NIS, but I’m not sure they agreed on the price. If they didn’t, there are others who will,” Vucic said.

He expressed his confidence that the United States will accept his position, cooperate, and issue the necessary license so that the refinery does not shut down.