Vucic: Uzbekistan has always stood by Serbia despite difficult circumstances, does not recognize Kosovo

During his visit to Tashkent, President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic stated that Uzbekistan has always stood by Serbia, recalling that the country has never recognized the independence of Kosovo.

“We must not forget that Uzbekistan did not recognize Kosovo’s independence and that it has always been on Serbia’s side, even when that was very difficult due to the positions of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Uzbekistan was also abstinent in the UN vote on the Resolution on Srebrenica,” Vucic emphasized.

He described Uzbekistan as a country of rapid development, with about 39 million inhabitants, noting that one million babies are born there each year, which he called “an enormous wealth.”

Vucic added that the President of Uzbekistan received the Serbian delegation in an exceptional manner, noting that there was no place in Tashkent without billboards, posters, or Serbian flags, for which he expressed deep gratitude.

He reported that a Joint Declaration was signed, and discussions included the creation of a framework for regular consultations at the ministerial level.

Vucic also said that he could not recall having such a long one-on-one meeting with any leader before—lasting two full hours.

“We discussed the situation in Ukraine and the world. Uzbekistan has a similar destiny and position—though it is much larger than us—since it lies at a crossroads and maintains relations with Russia, the EU, the U.S., and is geographically closer to China. They feel the same kind of pressure as we do,” Vucic explained.

He announced that in the next eight months, new air routes will be opened — after Georgia, flights to Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan will follow, and then to Uzbekistan as well.

“Although Serbia is a small country, and our national airline successful, we are always striving to open new markets,” Vucic said.

He pointed out that important agreements were signed today, laying the foundation for a preferential trade agreement, and expressed hope that a free trade agreement would soon be concluded.

Vucic also remarked that Kazakhstan trains one million people annually in the field of artificial intelligence, emphasizing that Serbia, if it wishes to keep pace with Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, must invest significantly more funds.

“We must not miss this technological revolution as we did the first industrial one. I believe we will have the intelligence, wisdom, and knowledge to seize this opportunity,” Vucic stated.

He underlined that there are great prospects for cooperation with Uzbekistan, noting that the two sides also agreed on mutual political support in international organizations.

Vucic announced that he would attend the 43rd UNESCO Conference the day after tomorrow.

On Fejzic’s Claim That Belgrade Is “Punishing Turkey Through Montenegro”: ‘Such a Ridiculous Statement – I’m to Blame for Everything’

Commenting on remarks by Rifat Fejzic, the head of the Islamic Community in Montenegro, who questioned whether Belgrade was “punishing Turkey through Montenegro” after Podgorica temporarily suspended its visa-free regime with Turkey, Vucic responded ironically that he “accepts blame for everything on the planet.”

“That is such a ridiculous claim that I don’t even know how to respond,” Vucic said.
“I accept the blame for everything on this planet… Whatever happens, I’m always guilty—when people can’t find someone else to blame for problems of their own making. I’m the culprit in Zagreb, Sarajevo, Podgorica, Pristina—and increasingly in Washington, Moscow, and Brussels, whichever way you turn,” he added.

Vucic observed that he has now been blamed even in Banja Luka, although he does not understand why.

“I don’t know the reason, but I suppose that’s just how it has to be. For my part, Banja Luka will never be to blame for anything,” Vucic concluded.

Montenegro temporarily suspended its visa-free regime with Turkey following incidents in Podgorica involving Turkish nationals.

On the U.S. Position Regarding NIS: We Have Understood the Message — We Live in a World of Reality, Not Justice

Commenting on media reports that the U.S. is unwilling to compromise regarding NIS (Serbia’s Oil Industry) and expects Serbia to eliminate Russian ownership, Vucic said he was neither thrilled nor surprised but understood the message.

“Imagine if I were to ask the U.S. government to do this or that… Thank you, dear partners, for everything. We understood your message long ago. Since we live in a world of reality, not justice, my duty is to say that I understand the message,” Vucic said.

He added that he never misled citizens when he warned that sanctions were coming and that U.S. partners would be uncompromising.

He reiterated that NIS will not be nationalized, but that Serbia must continue to function and survive.

“I have an obligation to protect Serbia and its citizens—to ensure sufficient oil and gas supplies. We face many problems, but we are solving them,” the President said, stressing that Serbia must be fully prepared for the coming winter.