Vucic: If the CSM must be in accordance with the Kosovo Constitution, then what have we been negotiating in Brussels?

President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, announced this evening in Paris, where he is attending the Peace Forum, that he would have a substantive and important one-on-one conversation with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, and that one of the topics would be Kosovo.

"Don't forget that in Granada, we talked for a long time, and I won't forget that. At a difficult moment for Serbia when we were under pressure from all sides, President Macron took an hour to talk to us, and it was not a problem for him. It was just after Banjica when a salvo of attacks was expected. I believe that Serbia must respect that, and I hope that we will be able to host him in Belgrade soon", Vucic said for RTS.

When asked what he expected from the conversation with the President of France, he pointed out that conversations with Macron were always sober, and although their views on Kosovo differed, and we could not expect them to change, they were looking at what could be done to preserve peace and stability.

"Now we are looking at how to do things that are good for the preservation of peace and stability, which do not harm our national interests, and which also benefit France to ensure there is no new hotspot and that things are being resolved slowly", Vucic said.

Regarding his conversation with the Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander De Croo, he conveyed that the topics had been bilateral relations, but also Kosovo.

"We talked about Kosovo and Metohija, how the dialogue could continue, and what else could be done. We also discussed the European Commission's report. De Croo expected me to complain and whine about the report, as others do, but apart from disagreeing with the assessments related to Kosovo and Metohija, everything else in the report is 'fair'. Progress has been made. I am especially pleased because of the numerous lies spread in public, as we received good ratings and praise for the laws adopted in the media sector. Some people constantly depict Serbia as an undemocratic country, while using rights that no one else has in any other country", Vucic explained.

He reported that it could be expected that De Croo comes to Serbia in March or April.

Regarding the European path, he said that many wanted Serbia to join the European Union tomorrow and that although the election campaign was underway, he did not want to deceive the people in that way.

"No one will join, not this year, next year, or the year after that. Neither will anyone from the Western Balkans, Ukraine, nor Moldova. Before Serbia joins the EU, there are many more steps and things we need to do", Vucic said.

However, he stresses that Serbia should become part of a single economic market, and for trucks, Serbia should get a "green lane" for faster border crossings.

He adds that in the region, everything should be done to ensure that trucks do not queue at the borders, saving seven to 15 percent of total operating costs.

"Let's talk about pragmatic things that can make life easier for our people, that can increase our standard of living, until the moment when the mood in Europe changes regarding Eurointegration", he said.

He pointed out that the European Commission had a new growth plan that had been recently presented in Belgrade by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and that much would depend on relations with Pristina.

"I believe that, even though you didn't believe me when I told you in the studio, there will be no sanctions, even though they had been announcing them to us for days and weeks. I was right because I know the strength of Serbia and I know how we can fight for our interests. That's why it's important for Serbia to look after its national interests, to always be on the European path, and always and at every moment care for its traditional friends and not turn its back on them in difficult times. At the same time, we need to see what we can get and do for Serbia. A relatively small country in the crossfire, with such big problems, like Kosovo and Metohija, on its shoulders, must and can survive and fight for its interests despite the unfriendly criticism of many", Vucic emphasized.

When asked about the statement of the US Ambassador to Pristina, Jeffrey Hovenier, that the CSM must be formed in accordance with the Constitution of Kosovo, he replied, "It’s just wishful thinking".

Vucic questioned whether that meant that in that case, the Serbs in Kosovo could establish the CSM today.

"If something is in accordance with the Constitution of Kosovo, what did we negotiate in Brussels? What was even negotiated? What did we sign? This means that the Serbs can establish it today if it is in accordance with the Constitution of Kosovo", he emphasized.