The President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, participated in the Summit in Prague where the initiative for the establishment of the European Political Community as a platform for dialogue between the existing members of the European Union and those countries that aspire to it was discussed, the president’s office announced.
During the Summit in the capital of the Czech Republic, Vučić also participated in the Round Table on energy, economy and climate issues.
The president presented the problems of Serbia at the Summit, which, according to the official announcement, was strongly supported by Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. At the panel in Prague the most important conclusion was to connect electricity grids and gas interconnectors and oil pipelines, in order to use energy sources from all over the world.
“A lot of good things were heard there, in which direction Europe will go. Construction of connecting transmission systems, new interconnectors, gas pipelines, oil pipelines, in order to be able to use energy sources from all over the world. On Saturday we will talk more about new investments. I thanked the Europeans for their support for the construction of the interconnector with Bulgaria,” Vučić said, adding that he once again asked to consider the decision to ban the import of Russian oil.
He also stated that there were those officials who supported us when it came to the eighth package of EU sanctions against Russia, and that the EU postponed the decision on the possible exemption of the Western Balkans from the ban on the import of Russian oil until 1 December.
“The EU will return to the issue before the ban comes into force,” Vučić confirmed in a statement in Prague after a panel on energy, the economic situation and climate change at the European Political Community Summit, adding:
“As for those who were on our side regarding this, because I brought up the topic, I will repeat, Rumen Radev was fantastic. He said that he does not understand the issue and believes it is not fair to Serbia. Mitsotakis spoke about this in his closing speech, and I thank them both,” the president said, referring to the new political community proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron:
“We gathered to show that we belong to Europe. It is very useful for us, an ideal opportunity to have good meetings, to find out some things. I have seen what many are starting to do in their own countries regarding the energy crisis. This has a meaning for us, and we will see when and how the European path will continue or slow down.”
When asked if anyone put pressure on Serbia, Vučić replied that there were no criticisms of the country’s policy at the meeting, but that he expects there will be during bilateral meetings.
President Vučić met in Prague with the President of the Czech Republic, Miloš Zeman, with whom he discussed bilateral and economic relations between Serbia and the Czech Republic, as well as his upcoming visit to Serbia, which he was looking forward to in advance.
“With my dear and respected friend Zeman, I exchanged opinions on today’s geopolitical challenges, especially in light of the current energy situation, but also in numerous other aspects. As always, I listened to the wise assessments of an experienced statesman and a sincere admirer of our country”, stated Vučić, who during his stay in the capital of the Czech Republic met with the President of the Republic of France Emmanuel Macron, the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Olaf Scholz, as well as the President of the European commission by Ursula von der Leyen.
“The key topics of the conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz were Kosovo and Metohija and Serbia’s European path. I believe that I represented our country and its interests responsibly and seriously”, President Vučić wrote on his Instagram account “buducnostsrbijeav” along with photos from the trilateral meeting.
When it comes to the meeting with the President of the European Commission, Vučić posted a photo from the meeting on Instagram and wrote:
“An excellent conversation with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, about all important issues for Serbia and its European path. I hope for the soon visit of EC President Ursula von der Leyen to Belgrade and Serbia”.