7. novembar 2024 18:02
Vucic: I expect strategic decision to take in Serbia as EU member
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Foto: Tanjug video
BUDAPEST - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday in Budapest he expected the EU to make a strategic political decision to take in Serbia as a member.
Responding to questions from reporters after the European Political Community Summit, Vucic said Serbia was now more prepared for EU membership than most EU member states had been at the time of their accession to the bloc.
"You have to look at Serbia's economic strength. Today, it is significantly greater than that of 40 or 50 per cent of EU member states before their EU accession, and we would like it to be even greater. Today, we are on par with one or two EU member states that have received 60, 70 or even 90 bln euros, while we have received around 2 bln," Vucic said.
He said few countries would be able to meet the criteria that were being put before Serbia.
"It has to be a strategic, political decision. As I said, it is not about whether you know what Chapter 19 says, because I do not have a clue. When I asked European Integration Minister Tanja Miscevic, she did not know either. Even those who have put it together do not know that," Vucic said.
"Come on, people, make a strategic decision. I saw that nearly everyone smiled as I was speaking about that. Everyone knows I am right. Do you want this region to be a European region or not? Tell that to us in the most fair, the most open and the most responsible way," Vucic said in a message to EU leaders.
He said he believed his words had been met with understanding and accepted as a serious argument from Serbia.
"I saw that from the reactions in discussions with everyone. Even after my reaction to a speech by (Danish PM) Mette Frederiksen, I had a very good bilateral meeting with her. Because we have a lot of Danish investors, and I look forward to her visit soon. I am also expecting Keir Starmer, the British PM. Forty-four years ago, Margaret Thatcher was the last British PM to visit Serbia, and she came for Tito's funeral," Vucic added.
