Vucic: US decision to accept Pristina's request to buy missiles greatly disappointing

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday Serbia would continue to act responsibly, contribute to stability in the Balkans and work on maintaining ties with the US despite the fact Washington had accepted Pristina's request to buy Javelin anti-tank missiles.

Vucic said this in an official statement after receiving US Ambassador to Belgrade Christopher Hill, who informed him of a decision to accept the request.

Vucic said the decision was "greatly disappointing" to Belgrade but that Serbia would work together with the US on maintaining Serbia-US relations.

"To us, it is of the utmost importance that peace in the region is not disrupted, and Serbia will continue to act responsibly and contribute to stability in the Balkans," Vucic said.

The statement, released by the presidential press office, also said Vucic and Hill had discussed further advancement of bilateral political and economic relations, Serbia's international position, the situation in Kosovo-Metohija and a continuation of the dialogue with Pristina, as well as current geopolitical developments.

Vucic noted that Serbia was interested in strengthening its economic cooperation with the US at all levels and that he expected US investments in the country to grow in view of the good experiences of existing investors.

For Serbia, it is necessary to continue the work on bolstering road infrastructure as well as energy infrastructure, Vucic said, adding that major Serbia-US contracts on infrastructure development were due to be signed soon.

Vucic and Hill concluded that good Serbia-US relations had helped create favourable ground for expansion of economic cooperation.

They also discussed bilateral cooperation and the situation in the region, the statement said.