Vucic with political and business leaders in Davos, tomorrow also with Lajcak

After a two-year break due to the pandemic, the World Economic Forum is being held in Davos again, with a record number of participants. In the famous Swiss winter resort "altar of globalization", the richest and most powerful people in the world are now talking about "reglobalization".

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, arrived in Davos in the afternoon, where he was greeted by an unpleasant surprise - the flags of "Greater Albania" and Kosovo were also hung on the building opposite the hotel.

Vucic then headed to the congress center where today and in the coming days he would have a series of important meetings with political and business leaders from all over the world. Today he met with the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and the CEO of Affinity Partners Jared Kushner, and he also attends the reception of the King and Queen of Belgium.

The world opened up after the pandemic, inflation increased. Although it is slowing down in major economies such as the US and Europe - it is still "painfully high", it was heard at the opening. The hot topic is the war in Ukraine. The world is re-globalizing and becoming more interdependent, says forum founder Klaus Schwab.

"Today's world is at a critical turning point. The covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have shaken the already fragile global system. Economic growth in the world's largest economies is at a standstill. Food and energy prices continue to rise," Schwab said.

Europe will continue to support Ukraine "as long as necessary". It announces that it has paid the first aid installment of three billion euros.

"This is the first tranche of our package of 18 billion euros for 2023. It will strengthen the financial stability of Ukraine, help pay salaries and pensions and ensure the operation of hospitals and schools," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

She also says that the EU has introduced the strongest sanctions against Russia and that crimes will not go unpunished. Europe will help Ukraine to rebuild the energy infrastructure, water pipelines, roads and bridges that, as Leyen says, "Russia destroyed in its war of aggression."

The President of Ukraine will arrive in Davos tomorrow. His wife Olena Zelenska is already there - she calls for the support and unity of the international community.

"We are facing the threat and collapse of the world as we know it... What kind of life can there be where tanks are allowed to hit a nuclear plant. What will happen to inflation when national borders begin to collapse and the integrity of countries is trampled by those who want it? We have to declare the end of this war," said Olena Zelenska.

To the United Nations data that more than 7,000 civilians were killed in Ukraine, Kyiv responds - more than 9,000 died, including 453 children.

"The worst crisis since World War II"

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has faced the world with the worst crisis since the last world war, according to the words of the President of Switzerland, Alain Berset.

"Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is a brutal attack on a peaceful country. But it is also a brutal attack on international law and multilateralism," Berset said.

Most participants at the Davos summit expect most of the world to go into recession this year.

Optimism arrives from an address we are not used to. IMF Director General Kristalina Georgieva expects an end to the decline in global growth - despite the war in Ukraine and the constant rise in the cost of living and interest rates.

"In 2023, we will adhere to the general principle of progress while maintaining stability. We will continue to pursue a proactive fiscal and prudent monetary policy. We will strive to maintain reasonable economic growth and keep prices and employment generally stable," said Chinese Vice Premier Liu He.

The gathering of the world's elite is always the target of criticism that the participants are too untouchable, rich and powerful to be concerned with the needs of ordinary people and the planet.

For Serbia, the most important panel takes place on Thursday and concerns the diplomatic dialogue in the Western Balkans, which will be chaired by Borge Brende. In addition to the leaders of the Western Balkans, Albin Kurti will also participate in that meeting, and there is an asterisk next to his name on the list of participants.

Vucic, by the way, has numerous meetings with directors of large companies tomorrow, as well as a meeting with the Prime Minister of Georgia, as well as Miroslav Lajcak.