Vucic: No one required recognition of Kosovo

Responding to questions posed by participants of a conference “The Balkans in Europe's Future- the Role of Serbia“, which is being organized by the Robert Bosch Foundation, the European Fund for the Balkans and Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence, Vucic said that the talks he had in Berlin on Wednesday were anything but easy. We are not concealing our respect for German hosts, and the importance that Germany has, and that we want to be partners in the future. We know that it does not entail only nice and easy things, economic and social assistance, but also some tough obligations have to be met, and unpopular decisions delivered. As you could see up to this point, we are ready for that, Vucic underlined. He is confident that Serbia will be able to achieve the greatest part of things that are being required from it, and sure that the German officials have noticed great progress that Serbia has made. The next month or month and a half will be essential for Serbia. The Belgrade-Pristina dialogue will resume on March 4, and I am certain that some other key things, which are not even mentioned in the report of the European Commission will be resolved, he said, noting that during his previous visit to Berlin, he pledged to bring to justice those who had attacked German soldiers, which was done. That is the reason why, today, the German officials are placing greater trust in us that we will deliver on our promises. Even in the German Bundestag, where there had been less trust earlier, today there has been more, Vucic said, adding that they talked about three issues- the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, implementation of agreements reached so far, internal reforms in Serbia, better framework for business in Serbia, and improvement of economic cooperation. The most important questions referred to implementation of the agreement on integrated management of crossings, and parallel structures in northern Kosovo, as well as alternative roads. I have answered all the questions. I think we will make considerable progress on some issues in the foreseeable future, Vucic stressed, voicing confidence that, if Serbia gets a starting date for the EU entry talks, and it will do its best for that to happen, better conditions for investments will be created. On Wednesday, Vucic talked with German Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere, Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, and addressed MPs in the Bundestag.