Vucic to BBC: I Can Only be in Serbia’s Shoes, I Believe in Regional Reconciliation, but Not in Narratives Against Us
In an interview with the BBC, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated his belief in regional reconciliation but rejected narratives that perpetuate political conflicts and aim to harm Serbia and its national interests.
Appearing on BBC Hard Talk under the topic "Is Serbia Moving Toward the West, Russia, or China?" host Stephen Sackur described Serbia as "the largest power in the Western Balkans, which currently finds itself at a strategic crossroads." Sackur explored Serbia’s priorities—its EU membership aspirations versus its deepening ties with Russia and China.
Sackur first asked Vucic about his past as a member of the Serbian Radical Party, devoted to the Greater Serbia Ideology, which, as the host stated, led to dark times in the Balkans, and to reflect on how he has changed since then, serving now as the president of Serbia.
"I’m not ashamed to say I have changed, but I disagree with you on who is to blame for many of the negative events in the Balkans. We have different views on that, and this extends beyond our internal issues. When I say our internal issues, I refer to the issues within the former Yugoslavia. I also refer to the role of Western powers and other influential players of that time," Vucic said.
When asked about the 1995 Srebrenica massacre, and the fact that the UN courts classified it as genocide committed by Serbs, as well as the recent designation of a commemorative day by the UN in connection with it, and whether he, as the President of Serbia, is now prepared to acknowledge it as genocide, Vucic stated that a horrific crime occurred in Srebrenica.
"I have always been ready to acknowledge the terrible massacre that took place in Srebrenica. I even went there, if I recall correctly, on the 20th anniversary, to bow my head and lay a wreath, despite being attacked by a mob. No one denies what happened in Srebrenica," Vucic said.
President Aleksandar Vucic stated at a press conference after his meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Belgrade that they discussed all strategic issues and ways to improve cooperation.
The Chair of the Board of Directors of the British Chamber of Commerce, Sarah Howard, stated that the Western Balkans region is experiencing dynamic growth. She announced that the United Kingdom will invest £50 billion in the Western Balkans.
Regarding its classification as genocide, Vucic described as a political initiative led by the Germans and Bosniaks.
"We see this as a political move. As you know, 109 countries share our stance. People wonder why other massacres or major crimes haven’t been similarly classified as genocide. When it comes to honoring victims, I’m always ready to do so. I believe in regional reconciliation but not in narratives that perpetuate new political conflicts," he added.
Discussing regional stability, Vucic emphasized Serbia’s commitment to peace, stating that Serbia is provoking no one, nor will it do so in the future.
He also highlighted that, in the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, Serbia has not been asked to de facto recognize Kosovo’s independence and that "nothing similar has been written or stated anywhere".
"Normalization means living in peace, stability, and tranquility, with free movement of goods, capital, people, and services. It’s about developing our economies, addressing different issues, and seeking resolutions," Vucic concluded.
Tražite reč, pišite nam šta vas muči a mi ćemo Vam pomoći da rešite problem kroz razgovor sa ljudima koji su odgovorni i upućeni... Bićete u prilici da slušate i da pitate. Direktno i uživo. Pišite nam na mejl adresu trazimrec@newsmaxtv.rs
specijal
04:00
SINTEZA (R)
Lako je postaviti pitanje, umeće je dobiti pravi odgovor. Sinteza - ozbiljna priča!
specijal
05:00
NEWSMAX USA-TOP STORY (R)
Prikazuje karusel dnevnih objava i najnovijih vesti, sagledanih iz svih uglova. Spoj popularnih priča i najvažnijih vesti koje ostaju vidiljive danima, često inspirisana glavnim događajem dana ili nedelje.
specijal
06:00
PROZORI BALKANA (R)
„Prozori Balkana“ je emisija koja otvara pogled ka regionu – kroz ljude, događaje i priče koje oblikuju svakodnevicu Balkana. Donosi aktuelne teme, kulturne i društvene fenomene, kao i inspirativne sagovornike koji otkrivaju različita lica ovog prostora. Dinamična, informativna i emotivna, emisija povezuje zemlje i ljude Balkana kroz zajedničke vrednosti, izazove i strasti.
specijal
06:30
INFORMATIVNA EMISIJA-PRESEK
Newsmax se bavi temama, a ne pukim prenošenjem informacija. Informišemo, ali želimo i da objasnimo, analiziramo, istražimo. Osvrnućemo se na izazove i prilike s kojima se suočavamo, analizirajući kako se aktuelna dešavanja reflektuju na naš svakodnevni život. Kroz razgovore sa stručnjacima i akterima iz različitih oblasti, pružićemo dublji uvid u važne teme koje se tiču politike, ekonomije, obrazovanja i društvene pravde. Pridružite nam se u ovoj analizi i saznajte više o pitanjima koja su važna za sve nas.
vesti
07:00
OTVORI OČI
Zašto Sjedinjene Američke Države ne žele kompromis u vezi sa NIS-om i koja rešenja imaju za kompaniju? Koji je pravi razlog masovnih protesta i sve većih tenzija u Crnoj Gori i Sloveniji? Postoje li bezbednosni rizici povodom skupa 1. novembra i da li od njega zavisi početak akademske godine?
Policija u Novom Sadu uhapsila je carinika K. K. zbog osnova sumnje da je izvršio produženo krivično delo Zloupotreba službenog položaja iz člana 359 Krivičnog zakonika, saopštilo je Više javno tužilaštvo u Novom Sadu.
Na Institut za zdravstvenu zaštitu dece i omladine Vojvodine dovezeno je sedmoro dece povređeno u u teškoj saobraćajnoj nesreći koja se dogodila prethodne noći na auto-putu Novi Sad–Beograd posle naplatne rampe.
According to information obtained unofficially by Newsmax Balkans in Washington, the Serbian government is currently developing a plan to resolve the issue of the Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS) and to have the company removed from the list of entities under U.S. sanctions.
President Aleksandar Vucic stated that Serbia and Uzbekistan have agreed on mutual political support at all levels, from the United Nations to all other organizations, and expressed his expectation that in the future, the two countries will also sign a free trade agreement.
The European Union Ambassador to Serbia, Andreas von Beckerath, stated that he firmly believes Serbia’s future lies within the EU and emphasized that he will work tirelessly to support Serbia in implementing all the necessary reforms to make that happen.
Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macut stated that the Serbian delegation at the Berlin Process summit in London has launched a proposal for Serbia to join the EU’s free roaming zone and for prices to be equalized across all of Europe.
The Assembly of Kosovo did not elect the new government proposed by the leader of the Self-Determination Movement (Vetëvendosje) and current caretaker Prime Minister, Albin Kurti.
The 68th International Belgrade Book Fair has officially opened and will run until November 2 at the Belgrade Fair grounds, under the slogan Your New Story. Visitors will be welcomed by more than 400 exhibitors from 15 countries.
The President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (PKS), Marko Cadez, and the CEO of Telekom Srbija, Vladimir Lucic, have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation aimed at improving the information and cybersecurity of businesses operating in Serbia.
The long-time head coach of the Serbian women’s national basketball team, Marina Maljkovic, has mutually agreed to terminate her contract with the Basketball Federation of Serbia (KSS) after 14 years of cooperation, including a one-year break in 2017.
Komentari (0)