"We want to join EU, be friends to Russia and China"

"We want to join EU, be friends to Russia and China"

Speaking during the reception, Dacic praised "historic successes achieved by this government led by Aleksandar Vucic." He said those successes "focused precisely on our priorities - economic recovery after a downturn, the opening of negotiations on Serbia's membership in the EU, protection of Serbian national interests through victory achieved in UNESCO when it comes to Kosovo's request to become a member of this organization."

"A large number of UNESCO member states rejected the request of Kosovo and it was our first big win at the international level, after many years," Dacic said.

He added that Serbia, with Russia's help, managed to thwart the adoption of a resolution at the UN Security Council which would have branded the Serbian people collectively as genocidal.

Dacic also noted that Serbia has adopted a humane approach towards migrants who pass through our country.

"Serbia deserves to go forward and therefore I expect that in the coming years not only a better future for Serbia in the coming decades, but also a better present will be spoken about. And it is therefore necessary to have new factories, new jobs, that state authorities and local governments work in the interests of citizens and to treat Serbia like householders should, the way Dragan Markovic Palma aways spoke and acted," Dacic said.

"These are the years when everything depends on us on so let's not miss this chance to catch the last train for a better future for Serbia and a developed Serbia," he said, and added:

"Let me say it here in Jagodina that Serbia is a country that has given much for its freedom, that we have been in the way of various conquerors for centuries. That we at times worked against ourselves."

Speaking about Jagodina and Dragan Markovic, Dacic said that Markovic "does not wait for ideas to come from elsewhere."

"I have personally witnessed the ideas and initiatives that he turned into action. The Zoo, the Aqua Park, the Wax Museum were his ideas," Dacic said, noting that the museum will soon have a figure representing Russian President Vladimir Putin - and that Markovic also wanted to have those of Dacic and Vucic - "but I told him to take it easy, we're not museum material yet."

There are plenty of mayors, remarked Dacic, "but Jagodina is fortunate to have Markovic."

"I participated with him when it comes to foreign investors and I commend him greatly, and I am sure that citizens of Jagodina feel it. If everyone loved Serbia, if everyone worked for Serbia the way Dragan Markovic Palma, does, think Serbia was would be far richer, more developed and more respected in the world," "said Dacic.

The cocktail party was attended by SPS officials Zarko Obradovic, Slavica Djukic Dejanovic, Aleksandar Antic, as well as officials of the United Serbia party.