Vucic: Their goal is for us to recognize Kosovo; I believe we will find a way out

President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, said today that yesterday's meeting with the big five, which took place in Belgrade, had been tough, emphasizing that there were no easy topics for Serbia regarding Kosovo and Metohija. Vucic told TV Pink that he couldn't speak about the details due to an agreement.

"But, it's clear that everything related to Kosovo and Metohija is tough for us. It's not just because of Banjska; tactically, it was terrible, and it brought consequences for us for months, but strategically their only goal is for us to recognize independent Kosovo. So, whether the reason is Banjska or something else, it doesn't matter," Vucic said.

He added that 25 out of 27 major countries had recognized independent Kosovo, making it clear how things stood.

"But I hope and believe that we will succeed in finding a way out, and Serbia will continue to move forward not only in the right path in terms of the economy, improving healthcare services, but also in preserving the core of our national interests," he concluded.

When asked if he expected new pressures, Vucic stated that it was difficult to predict what would happen and that he wouldn't comment on the pressures.

"They have their policy, express their view, which opposes ours, and they have their conclusions. For them, Kosovo is independent based on their decision, without any act, but we must understand that kind of reality. The US and Germany won't change their stance; they will become even stronger in proving they weren't wrong," Vucic said, announcing that he would be in Brussels on Thursday or Friday to discuss the Kosovo issue.

As he noted, he would fight for Serbia's positions.

He also noted that he would meet with French President Emmanuel Macron in Brussels and later host the French President in Belgrade.

Regarding the opposition's demand to impose sanctions on him for the Banjska incident and their letter to the EU's chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, Vucic stated that it was a unique case in the world.

"It has never happened that the opposition from one country demanded sanctions against the president; it's irresponsible, unserious, anti-state, and anti-people behavior. I was shocked," he added,

As he emphasized, the responsibility for the opposition was not with Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti, but with the state of Serbia.

"Even if that's the case, why are you doing this against your own country? Will anyone from Hamas admit to being responsible for bombing a hospital in Gaza? Will you see an Israeli saying Netanyahu is responsible for the hospital bombing? You won't. Do you not love your country so much, but love your seat so much?" he asked the opposition.

Vucic also says that there will be no sanctions on Serbia.

"Nothing of the sort, citizens have no reason to worry," Vucic said.

He reminded that the Kosovo Pogrom had occurred in 2004 during the cohabitation of Vojislav Kostunica and Boris Tadic, and the bad relations within the DOS coalition had led to the unilateral declaration of Kosovo's independence.

"They led to Montenegro's secession in 2006, which was a prerequisite for declaring Kosovo independent because they first had to destroy Yugoslavia. Why do such things have to happen, because, in that way, they have a weaker Serbia," Vucic explained.

The President noted that the Mazreku brothers and other Albanian criminals had been released during the time when Milos Jovanovic was in power.

He also asked who had been in power in Serbia in 2004 and 2008 when 85 countries had recognized Kosovo's independence.

"As for the time of Jovanovic, Bosko Obradovic, how many countries de-recognized independent Kosovo - none. And when you ask them how many hospitals they built, they did nothing but leave over half a million people unemployed," he concluded.

Regarding accusations from the Democratic Party's MP, Srdjan Milivojevic, that he is in a coalition with Kurti and that he praised Djilas, Vucic stated that they all praised Kurti.

"For them, he's wonderful but fine. I have no comment, but to be fair - Djilas is more moderate on this issue than the other, Djilas is somewhat more moderate and somewhat more serious, but that's their old policy - 'long live Kurti, long live someone else, just not us'. Kurti is nicer and better for them than me, but that's okay," he noted.

Speaking about the elections in Serbia, which will be held on December 17th, Vucic emphasized that they were crucial because people chose their future at these elections. They decide whether they want an independent and free Serbia, a wealthier Serbia, or whether they want to return to the past with terrible corruption and a terrible economy.

He also pointed out that there would not be any elections until 2027 after this round of voting, which would include elections at all levels.