Vucic: I discussed Pristina's announcement with O'Brien

SKOPJE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Monday Pristina's ban on trade in Serbian goods and an announcement it would stop payment transactions with central Serbia was a "hysterical attack" on Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija and that he had discussed this with US Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia James O'Brien.

Speaking to reporters in Skopje, where he is attending a Western Balkans-EU summit, Vucic said he would continue consultations about the issue with O'Brien.

"We will always be with our people, we will be trying and seeking - and finding - answers," he said.

He said a veto by a CEFTA member had been blocking the adoption of 10 major agreements and initiatives in the organisation since 2021.

"Try to guess who that is. Everyone else agrees, and everyone else is willing. What is important is that, as O'Brien said today, those who will be stopping others in the period to come will, in fact, be stopping themselves. So I think that is an important message and I hope this will change," Vucic said.

Asked if he would travel to Kosovo-Metohija as he had announced, Vucic responded he was willing to but that that did not mean he would be allowed to.

"I am always available and ready to speak with our people in Kosovo-Metohija. To me, there is nothing more important than that," he said.