Vucic: Kurti used a trick in Brussels to gain time and continue to harass the Serbs

President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, emphasized today that the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, had used a trick in Brussels yesterday in an attempt to buy time.

Vucic, speaking to TV Pink, stated that it was true that the negotiations were a kind of an enigma that was not easy to solve, a vicious circle that wouldn't be easy to break out of.

"Kurti used a good but short-term trick yesterday. He had attempted this before," he added.

Vucic pointed out that Kurti first had met with EU representatives and leaders where he had proposed the signing of all three documents - the second Brussels Agreement, the Ohrid Agreement, and the latest proposal regarding the CSM.

"He proposed this because he knew that Serbia could not sign them since I have repeated that ten times. He knew that EU leaders didn't know every detail of these documents. It's a trick because he is not prepared to form the CSM. Knowing that I wouldn't violate the constitution, and it's about Kosovo's UN membership and territorial integrity, he offered it. But he knows that he won't fulfill all of it," he explained.

Vucic said that Kurti had used this trick to buy time and gain a few days, allowing his friends in Europe and the US, where there were fewer of them after the arrest of Senator Menendez, to do something, and continue to harass the Serbs.

"We haven't lied about anything. Serbia is ready to accept everything that doesn't concern their recognition, UN membership, and Kosovo's territorial integrity. I believe this is an opportunity for people in Europe and the world to not only see but also for those who pretended not to see it to realize it now," he stressed.

He said that there had been attempts today from Serbia's surroundings to discuss measures against Belgrade in the EU Council and to characterize the act in Banjska as terrorist.

"But this couldn't pass in the European Council. I am grateful to everyone who preserves stability and helped Serbia's position. Despite the extremely tough day we had yesterday and today, citizens can sleep peacefully. We will continue to maintain stability and protect our people in Kosovo and Metohija. I believe that our political position, if we behave consistently, always safeguarding our positions, will continue to strengthen," Vucic stated.

I told European officials to their faces what Serbia nor wants not can

Vucic emphasized that his position, that Serbia would not recognize Kosovo's independence or its membership in the United Nations, was well known to EU leaders and the most powerful member states because he had never hidden it, but had only reiterated it yesterday.

"They are aware of this stance; I have never concealed it. However, yesterday, Kurti accused me of not wanting to sign. Of course, they had to offer something for signing, even though some of them understood Kurti's trick. I repeated in front of the President of the EU Council, Michel, Josep Borrell, and Miroslav Lajcak, to the three most powerful people in the EU that there are things we want and need, and there are things that I neither can nor want. I told them to their faces. It was not easy. Think about whether anyone could do it like that," Vucic said.

He added that he had acted in accordance with the Constitution, keeping in mind the citizens of Serbia, his people, and the country all the time.

"But at the same time, I wanted us to move forward, to achieve a compromise because we do not want to lose heads; we want to talk. I think we have succeeded to some extent," Vucic noted.

Regarding Kurti's persistence in demanding sanctions against Serbia, which were not a topic yesterday, Vucic stated that there had been attempts today by some from "the surroundings west of Serbia" to seek measures against Serbia and label Banjska as a terrorist attack, but it had not succeeded.

He announced an important visit from the European Union in the coming days, during which discussions would continue, emphasizing that the EU was a key partner for Serbia.

"I believe we will continue to cooperate, despite the fact that some hoped Serbia would be punished and worked on it. I am afraid they will come up empty-handed again," Vucic said.

Election announcement on Wednesday or Thursday

Vucic announced that he would call for elections on Wednesday or Thursday, and it was up to the citizens to express their views - whether they wanted to return to the past or move towards the future. He emphasized that if you looked back, the results were evident, and Serbia was much more stable and economically developed today than it had been in 2012.

"What's important is that people can freely express their will and make a rational decision on whether they want the country to return to the past when factories were shut down, Serbian national interests were destroyed when we remained silent about the pogrom, the proclamation of Kosovo's independence, and the secession of Montenegro, which we did not realize was happening, nor did we have a political reaction. We didn't understand that it was a precondition for Kosovo and Metohija’s secession from Serbia," the President of Serbia said.

Vucic highlighted that when he came to power, 500,000 people had lost their jobs, and not a single healthcare facility had been built by that time.

Since 2012, he notes, 147 healthcare facilities have been built, including clinical centers in Nis, Belgrade, and Vojvodina, and soon Sumadija will get its Clinical Center. He adds that the infrastructure projects implemented since the Serbian Progressive Party came to power have significantly improved the lives of citizens.

He also referred to recent conflicts among migrants in the north of the country and emphasized that, according to the Constitution of Serbia, he had the right as the President to make a decision to solve that problem.

"Today, I told Gasic - either you do the things you can do, or we will bring in the army, and they will solve everything within 24 hours. It’s a piece of cake. People are concerned about the migrant situation, and the police need to inform me if they are unable to resolve the migrant problem so that we can allow the army to handle it. We will make sure to resolve the migrant issue in one way or another. I've had enough of promises," he said.

He believes that migrants should not be allowed to settle their personal conflicts on Serbian territory, thereby compromising the safety of Serbian citizens.

He emphasized that today, during the Serbian Progressive Party's celebration of Saint Petka, he had talked to the Minister of Defense and the party's President, Milos Vucevic, and they agreed that the election list for the upcoming elections would be named "Aleksandar Vucic – Serbia Must Not Stop".

He explained that this was a symbolic name that reflected everything his party aimed for – building roads, railways, and hospitals, and ensuring a better and safer life for its citizens.

He stated that the sole goal of his party was to defend and preserve the future of the country, adding that there would be changes, new people, and new political options within the Serbian Progressive Party coalition.

In conclusion, the President of Serbia assured the citizens not to worry because they had a secure future since the state behaved responsibly, seriously, and diligently.

"For us, it's not about staying in power, but about the future and assessments in 30 or 40 years from now - what we did for the country. We will never compromise vital national interests and will always take care of Serbia's development", Vucic said.