Vucic: Internal situation also discussed with Tajani, Serbia to preserve stability

BELGRADE - Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Italian Deputy PM and FM Antonio Tajani, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said he was grateful to Tajani for visiting Belgrade at "an unpleasant time" and added that they had discussed regional issues as well as the internal situation in Serbia and student protests.

"It is no particular secret - two days ago, Serbian PM Milos Vucevic, a dear and good friend of mine, resigned. Thank you for being here despite all that," Vucic told Tajani at a press conference after the opening of a Serbia-Italy business forum and a bilateral meeting with the Italian official.

Vucic said it was very important that they had discussed regional issues as well as ways to get both Serbia and the region closer to the EU.

"We have always had Italy's support, and I believe we will have it in the future as well. I informed the Italian Deputy PM, Mr Tajani, of the circumstances in our country and spoke quite openly although I know he is well-informed on the situation in our country. I spoke about the protests - both student protests and civic protests - and about everything else, I said how long ago we believe the demands were met and how much we are calling to dialogue, while refraining from using any kind of force. I think we are handling this in an exceptionally democratic manner but, of course, I am always ready to hear different views and different opinions," Vucic said.

He noted that Serbia would continue to protect and safeguard stability.

"Until someone jeopardises that stability with violence, we will be very flexible and treat those who think differently, and see the future of our country differently, in a very fair manner," Vucic noted, adding that this was the essence of democracy.

He said it was extremely important that Serbia was also able to develop special partnerships and friendships with Italy.

"Few countries in the world will have as good relations with the new US administration as Giorgia Meloni and the Italian government have and, in that sense, I believe we can always have the support of the Italian government on some issues that are specific for us, such as sanctions on some of our companies that are majority Russian-owned, and on some other strategic issues, but as you know, our time is running out on that issue as well, 15 days have passed already. Within the next month, we must see how to resolve those problems and those things," Vucic said.

He also thanked Italy for providing security and stability to Serbian Orthodox monasteries and other Serbian holy sites in Kosovo-Metohija.

"We have always had very, very good cooperation with Italian generals and Italian officers, NCOs and soldiers," he said.

He said he was proud that Serbia had hosted 350 Italian companies at a business forum on Friday.

"Last year, we marked 15 years of a strategic partnership we are developing in almost all institutional areas, as well as 145 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations," Vucic said, adding that Italy had always stood with Serbia on its EU integration path.

He said he had had a very good bilateral discussion with Tajani about all important issues, "from political ones and the significance of preserving peace and stability in the entire region to an analysis of the situation on the geopolitical scene and ways to further advance our relations."

Vucic also said he expected the volume of bilateral trade with Italy to jump drastically this year.

He said Italy was currently Serbia's third-largest external trade partner.

"We expect our external trade to be advanced further, especially with the start of the series production of the Fiat Panda," Vucic said, adding that the expectations were the same when it comes to "cooperation in all other areas, especially in innovative technologies as well as in attracting more Italian investors."