Vucic: Letter to the Council of Europe with a promise about the Community of Serb Municipalities - another trick by Pristina

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic emphasized today that the letter sent by the Kosovo authorities to the Council of Europe, in which they promise to submit the draft statute of the Community of Serb Municipalities (CSM) to the Constitutional Court by the end of the month, is yet another trick by Pristina.

"This is yet another trick jointly executed by Albin Kurti and his associates, including Gerald Knaus and other lobbyists," he emphasized.

Vucic added that Pristina claims they will submit their own draft statute.

"Who are you to submit your own text? The Brussels Agreement clearly states that this should be done by the Serbian management or it should be something we have at least conceptually agreed upon with the EU. This is a trick because the British are pressuring everyone else to accept Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe," he added.

Vucic further noted that this is not a serious attempt to implement any agreement, not even the draft statute submitted by the EU. When asked to comment on the ban on entry into Kosovo for Patriarch Porfirije, he said this is evidence of how they respect human rights.

"The fact that the Patriarch was not allowed to enter Kosovo is proof of how they respect human rights while they are a candidate for the Council of Europe. Tomorrow, I will receive the Patriarch and bishops, and I will discuss this with them," he said.

When asked how the vote on the Srebrenica resolution will affect relations with Montenegro and what he thinks about the resolution on Jasenovac, Vucic reiterated that, unlike those who come to Montenegro to dictate what that country should do, Serbia does not do that.

"Montenegro can do as it pleases. Will we be happy if they pass the resolution? Certainly not. Don't force us to say we are happy when you hit us over the head. We will endure those blows, but don't force us to say we like it," he emphasized.

Regarding the Jasenovac resolution, he said it is a good idea and that Serbia will consider how to embrace it in the future. He pointed out many senseless arguments in the media, such as claims that the SPS voted for the genocide resolution while the SNS did not, and that he cares about Serbs across the Ibar but not about Srebrenica.

"It pains me when anything is done against the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija," he stated.

On the Resolution: Serbia Cannot Defeat the Collective West, Especially Not in a Rigged Vote
When asked to assess the votes for and against the Srebrenica resolution at the upcoming UN General Assembly session and which countries are key for Serbia, Vucic said there are no "key" and "non-key" countries, as all states deserve respect for their territorial integrity.

"We respect the integrity of all countries, unlike some in the world and the region who do not respect either the UN Charter or UN Security Council Resolution 1244. For us, all countries are key, that has always been our principle," Vucic added.

As for the number of votes, it is clear, he said, that Serbia has no chance of defeating the collective West.

"Not for a moment did I say that would happen, especially not in a rigged vote where only votes for or against are counted, not abstentions. But we fight for honor, for Serbia, for the right to the existence of the Republic of Srpska. These are our motives," Vucic said.

He also pointed out that the results in seven days will be less favorable for Serbia than they would be today because the pressures on countries are so strong that it is hard to withstand them.

"To all questions, you can provide various answers, but not to this one—why do you lie that it is about individual guilt? It is determined by the courts. This is a political declaration, a decision to place a collective mark on the forehead of a nation. If that is not true, show me the name of that individual in the resolution," Vucic said.

In response to a journalist's remark that Sarajevo closely follows what he says on this issue and does not relent, Vucic replied that they will never relent, even when they adopt the resolution.

"Because they are unable to answer why they are doing it and what the purpose is. The purpose is not to pay tribute to the victims or to honor them. Will it abolish the Republika Srpska? Of course not. And would they like that? Of course, they would. Will it destroy Serbia? No. But would they like it to destroy Serbia? I am sure they would," Vucic said.

Visiting Robert Fico, hoping he overcomes these difficulties

He reiterated that he is deeply shaken by what happened to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.

"I believe that in the coming days, together with Viktor Orban, I will get permission from Fico's family to visit him. It won't be today or tomorrow, but I hope he will overcome these difficulties. He is a fighter, an incredibly strong leader mentally, and I hope that will help him," Vucic said.

Regarding the threats made against him by individuals on social media, he said that the authorities are doing their job, adding that one person who directly threatened him on social media is someone who has committed a crime almost every day.

"He has around 50 criminal offenses lined up, but that is also usual..." Vucic noted.

Growth plan will bring good results for citizens

President Vucic is in Kotor, where he participated in the panel "Current Situation and Future Plans - New Growth Plan" as part of the Western Balkans and European Union Summit titled "One Region - Common Vision." He emphasized that this agenda brings not only higher economic growth rates, and accelerated trade in services and capital, not only within the region but with the entire region, opening new opportunities for attracting investments.

He mentioned that he had the opportunity to speak with EU Deputy Secretary of State James O'Brien.

"We discussed all important issues, from Serbia's European path to relations with Pristina and everything that follows after the adoption of the Srebrenica resolution next Thursday," he emphasized.

When asked how the region can cooperate economically when there is no consensus on some political issues, Vucic said that precisely because of this, it is better to move on to topics that can be discussed, such as economic cooperation.

"And some have used this for political revelries. But that won't change, and we are used to it," Vucic stated.

Regarding the Agreement on Free Movement of Workers within the "Open Balkan," he said it had a positive effect, as about 3,300 people used this opportunity and found employment in Serbia.

He also noted that Serbia has a shortage of labor, despite an unemployment rate of 8.9%, so the "import" of labor will be inevitable to maintain economic growth.

Speaking in Russian: I will decide how to speak, always in accordance with the occasion

Responding to criticisms about speaking in Russian during an event at the Russian House in Belgrade, where he spoke about the revision of history, Vucic stated that he does not care who criticizes him because it was appropriate to speak partly in Russian on that occasion.

"I will always decide for myself and always in the way that is best and most purposeful for that occasion, respecting the fact that I represent Serbs and Serbia," Vucic added.

When asked if Victory Day over Fascism and Europe Day, both celebrated on May 9th, can be "reconciled," he said that both Schuman's and the legacy of the anti-fascist struggle are important legacies for Serbia.

"We must not forget the fact that we celebrate Victory Day over Fascism because without it, it is questionable whether we would have a country and people and where we would be today," the

President of Serbia pointed out.

We did not hide the visit of Ukrainian Minister Kuleba and the First Lady of Ukraine

In response to some claims that the state hid the visit of Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and

First Lady Olena Zelenska because the flags of their country were absent in Belgrade, Vucic replied that nothing was hidden and that flags are not displayed when ministers visit.

"This is basic diplomatic protocol. We never hang flags for ministers, only for heads of state and government, and for major summits. But some people are rude enough to invent such things," Vucic said.