"We are not close to solution in dialogue with Pristina, Russia and China must get involved"

Photo: Tanjug/Zoran Zestic

President of the Assembly of Serbia Ivica Dacic says that a positive outcome of the upcoming meeting between the presidents of Russia and the US, Vladimir Putin and Joseph Biden, would contribute to a higher level of international trust and cooperation, reports Nedeljnik.

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"We believe that it will be very useful for everyone to reduce tensions in relations between Russia and the United States," Dacic told the Russian newspaper Izvestia in an interview.

He stressed that Serbia is in favor of joining the European Union, but that it will definitely not impose any kind of sanctions against Russia.

"Serbians are in favor of joining the European Union. Our geostrategic position is such that this is one of our goals. However, we will not join the EU if that would be contrary to our state and national interests. Russia is our friend and partner," said Dacic, who was on an official visit to Russia last week.

Asked about the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, Dacic said that "we are not close to a solution" and that the problem is that "the other side does not want to reach a compromise" but only to have an independent state.

"The only thing they want is for the international community to put pressure on Serbia, as a result of which Belgrade would recognize Kosovo. This is unacceptable to us," said Dacic, Beta reports.

Asked about the influence of the United States on resolving the Kosovo issue, Dacic said that Serbia welcomes everyone who can positively influence this process, if that will contribute to finding a compromise solution.

"But in order to reach a peace agreement, Russia and China, permanent members of the UN Security Council, must be involved in this process. After all, the Security Council will have to vote on the final decision," concluded Dacic.

(Telegraf.rs)