Vucic: Zeman demonstrated how great, courageous people make history

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Monday what outgoing Czech President Milos Zeman had said two years ago was etched in the heart of every Serbian citizen, and noted that no European leader was as popular in Serbia as Zeman.

Speaking to reporters after signing with Zeman a Serbian-Czech declaration on cooperation, Vucic noted that, at the time, Zeman had demonstrated courage that was unparalleled in Europe even though the move had only brought him criticism in some Czech media and some European countries.

"He demonstrated how great and courageous people can make history. The Serbs will never forget that. I thank him and the Czech people, who have elected him so many times," Vucic said, thanking Zeman for his sincere friendship.

"Emotions and feelings are important but, even more so, the rational elements show how much our relations have progressed," he said.

Vucic said he had received wise advice from Zeman about how Serbia should act when under tough pressure, but noted that he would keep the advice to himself.

"Every meeting with President Zeman is a great lesson to everyone," he added.

Speaking about Serbian-Czech economic ties, Vucic said the volume of trade between the two countries had tripled in the past two years to 1.7 bln euros in 2022, and added that he hoped it would exceed 2 bln euros as early as in 2023.

He said Serbia was working on many projects with the Czech side and that there were plans for numerous other projects in various fields.

"There are factories that want to invest in our defence industry... We are not selling weapons to Ukraine or Russia, but we will to others. That is why cooperation with the Czech Republic is good for us," he said.

"We condemn the invasion by Russian forces, we respect the territorial integrity of Ukraine. We will take part in construction of Ukrainian cities - we have received a request from the Ukrainian ambassador. We are the only country that has not imposed sanctions on Russia, we have problems with defending our territorial integrity, and we know that sanctions have brought no good to anyone," Vucic also said.