President, German ambassador "overcome differences"

President, German ambassador "overcome differences"

Journalists who covered the meeting today said Nikolic and Wilhelm "kissed as they greeted each other."

At the same time, Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Dacic said that relations between Serbia and Germany did not deteriorate because of the dispute.

"Relations between Serbia and Germany are not disturbed, already a meeting has been scheduled between Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and the German ambassador, in its in everyone's interest to be principled and to reduce tensions around this topic," Dacic said.

Nikolic has previously criticized the German ambassador, saying he "overstepped the boundary of police behavior when he indirectly accused him of lying." Namely, Nikolic claimed that he heard from Hahn that Serbia's recognition of Kosovo was a condition for its membership, while Wilhelm later said this was not said during the meeting.

Dacic said he "understands the reaction of President Nikolic" and that controversial statements "should be discussed, protecting the integrity of the president and the country's interests for the sake of good relations with Germany."

"Regardless of what Hahn said, the EU's position can never be for Serbia to recognize Kosovo, because not even (all) EU member states have done that," concluded Dacic.