Vucic: Pristina particularly nervous as it becomes clear who is responsible for tensions

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic stated today that Pristina is especially nervous because nothing in New York unfolded as its representatives had hoped. He underlined that they were dissatisfied with developments at the United Nations, as it is becoming increasingly clear who bears responsibility for the heightened tensions and ongoing attacks against Serbs in Kosovo.

“Pristina is particularly nervous, and I fully understand the reasons. Nothing here went as they had planned,” Vucic said when asked to comment on Pristina’s recent allegations of Serbian drone flights over northern Kosovo.

He remarked that Pristina sought to present as a success the encounter between Vjosa Osmani and Donald Trump.

“Even my son Vukan would not believe such a story,” he added.

Vucic clarified that every head of delegation receives an invitation to the reception hosted by the U.S. president. However, he did not attend this time—despite having participated many times before—because he had several important bilateral meetings scheduled at the same time.

“At that reception, you wait three hours, then you are led in to greet Donald Trump and his spouse for 25 to 40 seconds, smile for a photo, and then wait another hour to leave. I had far more important meetings, including discussions on NIS and Serbia’s position in Europe, and could not be present,” Vucic said, noting that in past years as many as 150 leaders attended, while this year the number was much smaller.

He described Pristina’s portrayal of the reception as an attempt to show they had meaningful conversations from which Serbia was excluded.

“How pathetic do you have to be… Albanians know it is not true,” Vucic stressed.

The President further pointed out that New York is the “heart” of Albanian political influence in the U.S., which explains their frustration when they saw that he and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov were the only European leaders to meet with U.S. Senator Marco Rubio.

He added that Pristina’s representatives were dissatisfied because, despite their efforts, they did not receive any serious receptions at the UN, where, as he put it, “they could only walk in circles and then leave.”

“People increasingly understand what is happening and who is responsible for the tensions and constant attacks on Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija. That is a small positive step. But we still have much to do, and we must continue to fight to change things,” Vucic said.

Serbia’s Engagement at the UNGA

Summing up Serbia’s participation at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, Vucic emphasized that the Serbian delegation had numerous important meetings with global counterparts and successfully represented Serbia’s interests.

“We had meetings today with American business leaders, with representatives of many delegations on the margins of the UNGA, and attended several important speeches, such as that of the Chinese representative. I believe we have worked successfully over the past days, which has contributed to Pristina’s nervousness. Those who always wish Serbia ill made mistakes and statements that backfired on them. Our active engagement helped expose this,” he said.

Vucic noted that he also had important talks on the issue of sanctions against NIS, asking for another postponement, though he doubted that such a request would be accepted.

He stressed that Serbia’s delegation had more activities and substantial meetings in New York this year than ever before—so many that he could not attend the traditional U.S. President’s reception.

Comments on Global Atmosphere at the UN

Vucic observed that this year’s atmosphere at the UN was different from the previous one, when there had been optimism ahead of the U.S. elections.

“I was the only president to listen to the addresses of Benjamin Netanyahu, the President of Pakistan, and the President of China. Listening to Pakistan’s leader, you could sense their perspective on relations with India—and it was the same with India’s president. You could clearly see the deep hostility and differing interpretations of recent events,” he noted, warning that further escalation and militarization are likely.

He criticized the overall global climate, pointing to “immaturity and irresponsibility,” describing the international stage as plagued by “childish behavior” akin to local quarrels.

On Former General Nebojsa Pavkovic

President Vucic also announced that the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals in The Hague had approved the early release of General Nebojsa Pavkovic, former commander of the Third Army of the Yugoslav Army, due to his poor health.

Vucic said that the Government of Serbia had submitted the request for humanitarian reasons and that the decision was now being finalized with the Mechanism.

“Soon we will be able to bring General Pavkovic home, to see the free sky of Serbia for which he fought so bravely in 1999,” Vucic stated, wishing him health and a long life.

General Pavkovic, convicted in 2014 to 22 years in prison, has been serving his sentence in Finland.