Vucic: I am not surprised by cancellation of Lavrov's visit, I've not seen such hysteria in a long time

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President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic told RTS on Monday evening that he was not surprised by the cancellation of Sergei Lavrov's visit, recalling that he had previously said there would be complications.

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Vucic said that for a long, long time, he had not seen such an overall atmosphere created in Europe and the world around the arrival of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, an organized attack on a small country, like ours.

"You cannot understand how many countless conversations there have been, in which Serbia was asked to cancel its hospitality to the minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia," said Vucic and reminded that a few days ago he said that he expected complications knowing what this was all about.

"Apart from the fact that there have skepticism on the part of the public here, they do not want to hear anything I say, they turn everything around and say that Moscow confirmed it. It'ss one thing to confirm, and another to implement it," Vucic added.

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He said that dissatisfaction and disagreement with the attempt to ban conversation must be expressed.

"When we talk about that, it's not a question of gaining or losing political points. In the previous 24 hours, we never receihadved more media from the surroundings and the whole of Europe coming to take pictures of Vucic and Lavrov. What have we done wrong? We simply did not agree to always be part of the pack," said Vucic.

"That hysteria in the previous 24 hours, and I kept silent, showed that they see they can't do anything to Russia, so, let's take it out on Serbia," said Vucic and added that he does not mean Americans but some others - "starting with one Karl Bildt, to Croatia."

"If I wanted to act like them, I would say I'm sorry for them, but I don't want to. I am not in the least fascinated by their threats. I would prefer someone talking with somebody," said Vucic.

Stating that Serbia condemned the Russian military action, Vucic also mentioned that Russia is a great friend of Serbia.

"It is not normal to expel Tchaikovsky from schools, theaters and operas, what will children learn if not Dostoevsky? Imagine condemning Dostoevsky,  like, 'the evil Russians'. What will you read if not that? Has that hysteria gone that far? Tell me, who is bigger than Dostoevsky in the whole world? What does it mean to abolish culture in the world?"

Vucic said that he wanted to ask Lavrov when we could get a (better) firefighting helicopter.

"But I can't ask. Let me ask you something - how is Vucic a villain? Is that what you want to tell NATO members? They have 20 times more flights. It seems that this is all you can do to little Serbia," the president stated.

He wondered how some EU leaders were allowed to go to Vladimir Putin, and asked if they would expel Turkey from NATO, since Lavrov is going there tomorrow (Tuesday).

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The president said that Serbia will maintain its policy of independent decision-making, but must hurry on its European path because that is the best for Serbia.

Earlier today, Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Botsan Kharchenko said at a meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was prevented from coming to Belgrade because the Russian government plane did not receive the necessary permits to fly to Belgrade, handing over relevant documents to Vucic.

During the meeting, President Vucic expressed his dissatisfaction with the circumstances that prevented the arrival of Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov.

He said that, in spite of everything, Serbia will preserve its independence and autonomy in political decision-making, continue the European path while fostering traditional friendly and partner relations with countries on all continents and preserving military neutrality.

Vucic announces significant changes in Serbian, but also in Belgrade government

While on RTS, Vucic stressed that he expects the next government to lead to a strong acceleration in European processes, but to make independent decisions, not to give up on its policy after the first phone call.

"Do you know how many politicians I know who, they get a call from the third secretary, the fourth secretary from some embassy immediately get scared," said Vucic.

Asked if he knew who would be in the government, he said that he is talking to his associates about it.

"I'm talking to associates. There will certainly be significant changes from the city, which will be seen soon, to the government of Serbia," said Vucic.

We're not begging anyone, Open Balkan benefits everyone

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will be at the Ohrid Summit on Tuesday and Wednesday, as part of the Open Balkan initiative, which he reiterates has brought significant benefits to all three participating countries, and is open to everyone, but added that he does not want to beg anyone to join.

Tuesday's dinner in Ohrid will be attended by Montenegrin Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic and Bosnia and Herzegovina Council of Ministers Chairman Zoran Tegeltija, and asked if that means the initiative is becoming appealing to others, Vucic said he did not now, and that he is "sick of pleading."

"Abazovic and Tegeltija will come as observers. I'm sick of pleading, begging, we have Open Balkan, Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania are there, whoever wants to join, will, and those who don't, I have no intention of begging them," said Vucic.

According to him, the three countries are already implementing everything related to work permits, and it remains for one of these three countries to complete the legislative initiative, so that the idea can be implemented.

About Olaf Scholz's visit

Vucic recalled that Germany is the most important partner and the biggest investor in Serbia.

"Scholz was fair, they said from his cabinet that even if Lavrov came, Chancellor Scholz would definitely come, I thank him for that, Serbia knows how to appreciate that," said Vucic.

Vucic added that he will "of course come with messages that are difficult, that people will not like."

"When someone wants to hear your argument about Kosovo and Metohija, it means a lot. Territorial integrity cannot apply to Ukraine and not to Serbia. The most important thing is to look to preserve our country and live normally. I thank the people who understand that," said Vucic.

(Telegraf.rs)