Vucic: It's important that there is progress on the European path

President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, emphasized tonight, in response to the European Commission's report on Serbia's progress, that it was important that there was progress and added that there was still much work, obstacles, and difficulties, primarily related to Kosovo.

Vucic, speaking to TV Prva, stated that he had read the analysis prepared by the relevant Minister, Tanja Miscevic.

"There are good things. I think it's important to see progress in 31 to 34 chapters. It's important for democracy that a particular shift in the media sphere is seen because it's essential due to numerous falsehoods that were stated", he explained.

He pointed out that there were still many obstacles and difficulties, and they were mostly related to Kosovo.

He assessed that the report was nothing unexpected.

"We shouldn't expect revolutionary changes. It's important to move forward on the European path while, at the same time, always being able to preserve national and state interests. It's essential to see progress", President Vucic emphasized.

Commenting on the EU's narrative, in which Serbia is placed in the group of Western Balkan countries for which six billion euros in incentive funds are earmarked, Vucic said that these were not comparable categories but that he had nothing against it because, he said, we shouldn't run away from the neighborhood.

"We shouldn't run away from the neighborhood, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, North Macedonia, and Montenegro because there's much more future here than in many EU countries. For me, a 10-year perspective isn't enough; I'm looking 20-30 years ahead. I believe that this part of Europe, the Western Balkans, will be a driving force for development and will catch up with Western European standards much faster than Europe fled the region", Vucic said.

It is up to us, he says, to work, fight, and push the country forward.

When have you heard someone talk about Kosovo without saying that 'Vucic is a villain'?

In response to the statement that one of the main topics of the election campaign is the issue of Kosovo, he asked when anyone had heard someone talk about Kosovo without saying that "Vucic is a villain".

"When have you seen a discussion, a debate, a dialogue... It doesn't exist. There isn't even an idea about it. They don't talk about Kosovo. That story doesn't exist, they won't talk about it because they have nothing to offer to the people", Vucic said, adding that the only topic in the campaign was how to make films full of anger, lies, and nonsense.

In Paris, a meeting with the Prime Minister of Belgium, probably also with Macron

Vucic said he was traveling to Paris the next day, where he would attend the Peace Conference on November 11 - Armistice Day.

"I believe I will have a meeting with Macron. I know there were ideas about Pristina, but there's no confirmation yet. I will have a meeting with the Prime Minister of Belgium", the President of Serbia stated.

He pointed out that for 20 days, there had been a "brutal campaign" about threatening Serbia with sanctions and measures.

"I said then - just calm down, be sure, you have serious leadership, something like that won't happen. There are no sanctions or measures", Vucic said, adding that people in Serbia could expect more good news and not to worry.

He announced that by the end of the year, a new plan for 2024 would be adopted - for further increases in public sector salaries, which would definitely be in double digits, possibly even more than planned.

"We will also consider minimum wages and how to go for biannual increases. Regarding these plans and further growth in the standard of living, we will inform the citizens very soon", Vucic stated.