Vucic: 6-to-6 curfew can only do us more harm, first doses of vaccine by the end of December

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic today addressed the public from the building of the General Secretariat of the President of the Republic.

"Together with the Government of Serbia, we set out in search of vaccines - to procure the safest vaccines for our citizens in the fastest way and to completely stop the catastrophic impact that coronavirus has on people's lives in Serbia, but also on the economy. We have secured 1.8 million doses, but we are also negotiating with Chinese and Russian partners who could procure the vaccine, because we need more quantities.

We will try to secure vaccines by the end of January for those who need them the most - medical workers and the army and the police. Immediately after them are people who have serious illnesses, as well as our oldest citizens, and only then middle-aged and younger people. We will do our best to provide as many vaccines as possible and to end the fight against Covid as one of the most successful countries in Europe," the president said at the beginning of his address, adding that he is congratulating the Crisis HQ, doctors, nurses and citizens of Serbia who have behaved in a disciplined manner.

"We will have the first vaccines in the country before the end of December. This is a question of the nation's health," he added.

VIDEO: Vucic: We have secured 1.8 million doses of the vaccine, they are arriving in Serbia before the end of December

"We should not leave a frozen conflict"

He also spoke about the political situation in the world and in Serbia.

VIDEO: Vucic: The most important message for us is the message of peace, to continue negotiations with Pristina

"The conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh shows the consequences of a frozen conflicts. We must learn the right lessons. We should not leave a frozen conflict to our children," he said: "The most important message for us is the message of peace, to continue negotiations with Pristina. The best solution is that which we can and must achieve through dialogue. And better to achieve it sooner than later. Some kind of conflict can happen to us. Every day someone protests. We must take care of the future of our children, of Kosovo and Metohija. I am completely convinced that people in the EU will understand that.

"Also, I am asking the Serbian Government to accept my request that we should have more members of minorities in the state apparatus," he said, noting that it should not be only representatives of Istvan Pasztor's party, but also Croats, Bosniaks ... "There are, I'm sure, many Albanian representatives with whom we can talk about participation."

VIDEO: If any of our citizens happen to be abroad with coronavirus, they will be taken care of at the expense of those countries

"What is also important is to inform you about what happened in the previous three days. We had several important talks between Tirana, Skopje and Belgrade. If any of our citizens are in those countries sick with Covid 19, they will be taken care of at the expense of those countries," he pointed out: "It's a question of time when the Albanian Prime Minister will let us know that Albania can be entered with ID card only. We are working on the issue of work permits. We need to work further on simplifying customs procedures.

We are the economies that export the most to the EU and the Quint markets. We need support. It's all for nothing if our trucks stand on the border with Croatia for hours. We need green corridors, which means faster flow of goods, services, capital, people... That means a better standard, higher salaries, higher pensions. We reached a common position at the summit in Sofia."

The president also said that his assessment is that European leaders Macron and Merkel received that united message.

President announces investments, a part is intended for healthcare

Europe is still locking down, he said, adding that the industry in November is "not doing" as it did in previous months.

"We are conducting many negotiations with representatives of companies from Germany and Japan, we expect their arrival in Serbia. The first investment will be in Indjija in December. Investors have pledged to invest 1.7 billion euros and to employ more than 6,000 workers," the president said.

VIDEO: Vucic on the significant arrival of companies from Germany and Japan

"What is important for us is to continue investing in healthcare," he said, speaking about investments in Novi Sad, Kragujevac, Belgrade, mentioning specialized hospitals in Dedinje, Tirsova, KBC "Dragisa Misovic", the Zemun Hospital...

Vucic: Mafia had the support of state structures

"I received information that two former presidents of municipalities from the SNS got arrested this morning. Let the authorities do their job. People need to know that those they elect have an obligation to work in their service and for their good. I am convinced that we will achieve great results. We know that mafia structures would not have become mafia structures without the support from the side from some state bodies. It's a difficult fight, it must be done efficiently. Those who thought they should take us back to 2000, when we had three murders a day in the streets... were very much mistaken," he said.

VIDEO: Vucic: Former presidents of municipalities from the SNS got arrested this morning

Regarding the mini Schengen, he also said that they expect Pristina to join the agreement in the coming days. He also said that the US embassy remains with the implementation of the Washington Agreement.

"I was in favor of curfew, I'm not in favor of semi-solutions"

In response to a question from journalists regarding whether the population in the southern Serbian province (Kosovo) is supplied with medicines, he said this is not only a question of money, but also a procedure.

VIDEO: Vucic: I have always been for some kind of curfew, because then you can cure everything quickly in 14 days

"The situation was somewhat worse than in the territory of central Serbia at one point. It's not ideal even now, I ask people to be careful and to take care," said Vucic.

Regarding the session of the Crisis HQ today, he said that the proposals are up to them, and that he had previously been in favor of some kind of curfew, but that semi-solutions in terms of closing down for a certain period, such as from six to six "can only harm the economy."

Regarding yesterday's handing of decorations, he said that more medals will be given on the Sretenje holiday.

VIDEO: What criteria guided the president with the Order of the Star of Karadjordje: More on Sretenje

"A far as the vaccine is concerned, we signed an agreement with a Chinese company back on June 28, we signed with nine manufacturer, the so called covax facility with the EU on September 28... The pace of deliveries is 10,000 doses in December, 340,000 in the first quarter, 500,000 in the second, 500,000 in the third, 450,000 in the fourth. We are trying to get what is meant for the first quarter in January in order to secure the whole of the healthcare system, the army andn the police.  In line with this covax facility we are asking for more. We also signed with the Russians on September 18 and we expect to soon see the proposal of a contract. These vaccines must be approved by our health authorities. We are waiting for them to be registered in their countries, so we can buy them. We want to buy safe vaccines," he pointed out.

VIDEO: Vucic: Vaccines must be registered, then our drug agency will give a purchase permit

(Telegraf.rs)