Vucic: I believe in new government, challenging times are ahead

BELGRADE - Congratulating new PM Milos Vucevic and his cabinet, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday wished them success and "much hard work", noting that he believed in the new Government of Serbia and that "challenging times are ahead of us."

"To me, the most important thing is that they accomplish goals - looking after the people, wage increases and the EXPO. I expect the government to confront the numerous challenges and the political clouds gathering over Serbia, and that, together, we ensure progress of Serbia," Vucic told the RTS in an interview.

He noted that he expected Serbia to be the region's most successful country by the time the new government's term ends in late 2027.

Speaking about an upcoming visit to Serbia by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Vucic said it was a huge honour, responsibility and obligation and a big opportunity for Serbia.

He said the cooperation with China had brought much to Serbia and that a FTA signed by the two countries last October would take effect on July 1.

He said that, after direct flights between Belgrade and Tianjin, direct service to Shanghai and Guangzhou would be introduced soon.

He also said talks were underway about launching direct flights to Miami.

Air Serbia already flies to New York and Chicago.

Speaking about a proposed UN General Assembly resolution on Srebrenica, Vucic said no substantial changes had been made to the document and that Estonia, Poland, Luxembourg, Croatia and Bulgaria had joined as co-sponsors.

Vucic said a proposal by Iran for the resolution to include a reference to genocide in Gaza had been rejected unanimously and that, for reasons that were unknown to him, amendments by the Australian delegation had been rejected, too.

"We have sent a letter with our remarks, requests and demands to both Germany and Rwanda. We have received no response whatsoever," Vucic said, adding that the authors of the resolution wanted no dialogue with those who had a different opinion.

Their plan is for a vote on the resolution to be held between May 13 and 17 - most likely on May 15 and 16 - simultaneously with a vote on Pristina's admission to the Council of Europe. he said.

Vucic said he did not have overly high expectations about the UNGA and CoE votes but that Serbia would fight.