No essential talks can take place before taxes are completely abolished: Vucic on the Kosovo issue

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic addressed the public after his visit to Washington, thanking President Trump and saying he believes this visit will produce results regardless of who is in power in the future.

Recommended

He confirmed that elections will be held on April 26 and that there will be enough time in the campaign for everyone to present their programs, while he wants everything to take place in a democratic atmosphere and for the people to elect their representatives according to their own will.

"I wanted to inform you about the Kosovo issue, what is being discussed and what is on the table," said Vucic, adding that there can be no essential talks before the taxes are completely abolished.

"You do something awful against someone, and then you tell them, hey, no problem, I'm not going to punch you with my fists, I'm going to slap you instead - that's what abolishing taxes and introducing reciprocity means. You cannot tell us we're not doing our job, I said the second you (Pristina) sign that you will not seek admission to international organizations before the end of the dialogue, we are ready to say that during that time we will not continue the campaign of withdrawal of recognitions (of Kosovo)," he said.

"Those who think it's time for war cries, I want to say that they would only yell that way for one night and then blame us for ruining everything. We will keep peace and we will do everything to preserve our state interests," said Vucic and added that he thinks we today have a responsible policy.

About coronavirus and the migrant crisis

"Coronavirus is a major problem for the world economy, even after interest rates went down. The fear of the unknown has led us to have tremendous psychological effects on the economy everywhere in the world, and I believe it will affect us as well," he said.

Another thing that further complicates the situation in Europe is the migrant crisis, the president said, adding that we would look at how the European Union is behaving.

"We don't want to treat anyone as inhuman, but we will preserve our country. We will show that Serbia will not become a parking lot for migrants. Our state authorities will not allow entry into our territory to those persons who could endanger the security of our republic. As for security today, we will further strengthen forces in Sid. Those persons who attacked our citizens have been arrested and will bear the consequences. But keep in mind that there are many more such attacks by Serbs and that is why I do not accept racist condemnations by individuals," he said.

Photo: Printscreen/TV Pink

Asked if Serbia is ready for a larger migrant wave, should there be one, and what concrete measures the country will take, Vucic said that this, like coronavirus, concerns the economy.

"Our services are already taking action, accepting information at all times, and conditions are already being created to stop migrant penetration in certain territories. Serbia has enough strength, power and capacity to do so," he said.

Asked about the meetings he had in America, Vucic said that Kosovo was not the only topic of discussion.

"Now I am sure that President Trump is, at the very least, well acquainted with the situation in Kosovo," he said, pointing out that himself, Grenell, O'Brian and Kushner had a long conversation and that it was a good conversation.

"Somehow I see that they have excellent communication, they work together and what impressed me is that they are hard working people. We opened the opportunity for the voice of Serbia to be heard," said Vucic.

(Telegraf.rs)