One spark could ignite whole region - PM

One spark could ignite whole region - PM

As for the summit on the Western Balkans that will be held Vienna on Wednesday and Thursday, Vucic said political support of Germany, Austria and the EU was necessary to ensure regional stability.

Stability can be stimulated by infrastructure projects which will be discussed in Vienna, Vucic is convinced.

"When we build a highway between Nis and Pristina, or railway between Sarajevo and Belgrade, Serbs and Bosnians must work together, and later sit together on the train. It brings people together, it is politically and psychologically important. Investors are welcome, but we do not need your money. If you help us with feasibility studies - thanks. We have enough money to finance projects. We have reduced our budget deficit below the Maastricht criteria and thus created more room," said Vucic.

With regard to his initiative for reconciliation in the region by establishing a joint day of remembrance of the victims, Vucic said he was not disappointed that the proposal was rejected in Croatia and Bosnia and by Kosovo, adding he was "not expecting too much," and that he "spoke about the victims, not the guilty ones, because there were innocent victims on all sides."

"We can talk about everything, therefore also about aggressors. But that will not make agreement easier to reach. Who was the aggressor in Operation Storm in Croatia? Who expelled 300,000 Serbs from Croatia," asked Vucic, adding that "Serbia is the only country that is willing to talk about the role of the criminals" - which is why he was at the commemoration in Srebrenica.

The prime minister then "underlined it is not a justification of political maneuvering" while "whoever is not brave enough for economic reforms would rather point out to the events from two decades ago."

When the interviewer noted that he "at one point in his career changed his course," Vucic "stressed this was "not a moment, but it a process."

"It is normal to change as one gets older. If people notice that someone is honest then they recognize it," said Vucic, noting his "alleged call to protect General Ratko Mladic was taken out of context."

He also "expressed readiness to talk with Germany and Austria about the accommodation of refugees" but was also "demanding EU's support to overcome the refugee crisis in the Western Balkans."

He stressed that the country needs greater support from the EU regarding asylum seekers.

"I'm not the type who whines and cries. If we get the support that's good, and if not we will continue our work. The situation is not easy for us, but we treat refugees well. We have established a reception center in Presevo, we will build one near Belgrade and one in Subotica," Vucic said.

He pointed out that Serbia was "very disappointed that Hungary established a wall on our border," saying it was reminiscent of "the past dark times."

According to Vucic, the wall has led to refugees - on their way to Western Europe - to now "remain two to three days longer in Serbia."

"But they still find enough holes in the Hungarian border. They will find other routes through the Croatian or Romania. Refugees are firmly resolved to go to Austria, Germany, or Scandinavia. They do not want to stay with us. Only ten to 20 of 80,000 refugees have sought asylum in Serbia," said Vucic.

According to him, a small number of refugees decide to remain in Serbia "because it is still a poor country, and asylum seekers cannot earn as much and receive social benefits as in Germany or Austria."

These, he said, are the main reasons - "although refugees are very satisfied with the treatment in Serbia."

Commenting on a Human Rights Watch report that claimed refugees were mistreated by police officers and blackmailed, he said there was "one such case" and that two police officers had been arrested, something that is, according to him, "unique in Europe."

When it comes to Macedonia, he said that he "could not recognize any logic" behind the recent decision of Skopje to close its border with Greece for two days.

Asked "what he expected from Macedonia," Vucic said he did not expect much, and that "we need better mutual coordination."

Macedonia, the prime minister indicated, "lets refugees through to Serbia and does not care for them."

At the same time he said that Skopje was "rightly complaining about being left in the lurch."

Vucic said he supports the five-point plan to solve the migrant crisis presented by Austrian FM Sebastian Kurz.

"We must approach the causes of the refugee crisis in and around Syria and Iraq. To just wait for something to happen is not enough. We must act, a comprehensive solution of the EU and all European countries is needed," Vucic said.

Asked if he could "imagine Serbia accommodating asylum seekers - while their request is being considered in Austria or Germany" - Vucic said this has been "discussed with refugees, but they do not want it."

"We are not an EU member, but we are willing to take a part of the burden with Austria, Germany and others. However, it must be determined what are our responsibilities are. You will not hear this from many prime ministers in Europe, not even in the EU," said he, while expressing his willingness to, with the German chancellor and the Austrian foreign minister, "talk about everything that can help, including also that Serbia accepts the European key of distribution refugees."

Vucic lastly pointed out that his party, the SNS, was today "the only major supporter of the EU in Serbia."