VUCIC: We respect EU and we will not additionally promote export to Russia

Aleksandar Vucic (Photo: Mc.rs)

Serbia will respect the will of the EU and will not provide subsidies for the export of it ts products to Russia but it will not impose sanctions to the Russian Federation, the Prime Minister, Aleksandar Vucic, said at the press conference on Friday, August 22, 2014.

- Two days ago in Obrenovac, the Deputy Head of EU Delegation in Belgrade, Oscar Benedict, delivered me aide-memoire where the Government of Serbia is informed that it would be necessary not to support trading activities, especially not to provide export subsidies, loans or to use trade companies so that we would expand Serbian share at the Russian market, replacing EU countries – Vucic said at the conference.

He said that EU thinks that usage of that kind of steps is unfair and hostile behavior as well as that it would be treated as different behavior than the one EU directed towards to stabilization of situation in Ukraine. Vucic said that although he respects the will of EU, Serbia will not impose sanctions to Russia. He added that strategic objective of this country is to join the EU.

At the press conference, he explained that Serbia did not receive a de march but a warning which it considered a really serious and that Serbia does not want a single moment to underestimate the warning because it would be, as he said, irresponsible.

-Serbia with has nothing to do with conflicts in Ukraine - Vucic said and added that Serbia is tired of its own conflicts and that we are implementing “the policy of peace”.

Vucic added he did not understand one word in the memorandum.

He said to exporters that they do not play and “re-pack” EU products to place them to the Russian market.

Serbia will not be hungry

Vucic said that the government will support the work of “365 days”.

-Of course there are the poor as everywhere else but Serbia will not run out of food - Vucic said.

We expect EU to keep the promise

The Prime Minister of Serbia said he expects that EU keeps its promise and to open chapters 32 and 35 by the end of the year in the negotiations with EU and underlined EU is the biggest partner for Serbia.

- While I am managing the government, we will respect ‘interests but we will mind our own things. Serbia takes care about its citizens’ interests, it does not insult anybody, and it respects everyone. Serbia is on the way to EU integrations but we expect EU to keep its promise and open chapters 32 and 35 by the end of the year – Vucic said at the press conference.