Vucic: It is important for Serbia to have very good relations with the US

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic stated today that it is important for Serbia to have very good relations with the United States and that Serbia will strive to develop and improve them, even though it is not always entirely simple. As he added, he believes the issue of US tariffs on Serbia will soon be on the agenda in Washington and that the problem will be resolved in the coming period.

Answering a reporter’s question on whether the meeting between Foreign Minister Marko Djuric in Washington and the US Secretary of State marks a new era in Serbia–US relations, Vucic said that Serbia would seek to make relations with the United States as good as possible.

“We have had several talks with American officials. The latest was Mr. Djuric’s meeting with Secretary Rubio. For us, it is important to have very good relations with the US. We will work to develop them, we will work to improve them, even though it is not always entirely simple, because we are a small country, they are a superpower, they have their own interests, which, at least on one issue, are not aligned with our own,” President Vucic said after hosting young athletes participating in the ‘Serbia Is Calling You 2025’ camp.

He added that discussions are also underway regarding tariffs and expressed his belief that, since Serbia has not been a priority due to the small overall volume of trade, the issue will come up on the agenda in Washington and that a solution will be reached in the near future.

Serbia does not interfere in the decisions of the Republic of Srpska’s leadership

Vucic also stated that Serbia does not interfere in specific tactical or other actions taken by the leadership of the Republic of Srpska or political forces in the Republic of Srpska.

“Our role is to point to the law, to violations of the law, to the observance or non-observance of the Dayton Agreement. In that regard and on that issue, the Republic of Srpska can always count on Serbia’s support,” he said, responding to a question on whether Serbia supports the Republic of Srpska President Milorad Dodik’s announcement of holding a referendum after his mandate was revoked.

He stressed that Serbia’s position will not change, that Serbia understands the complexity and difficulty of the situation and the many problems that currently exist, but that he hopes matters will be resolved peacefully and that regional stability will be fully preserved.

“I would have liked some in the international community to better understand the need for dialogue and talks, rather than making hasty decisions. From those in Sarajevo, I expected nothing better, so that will be Serbia’s goal in the coming period,” Vucic concluded.