PM asks EU to come up with policy for migrant crisis

PM asks EU to come up with policy for migrant crisis

Unilateral measures and a lack of a unified EU policy on this matter would be very bad, Vucic stressed after a meeting with EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides.

"When someone says that they will not take in members of this or that nation, it needs to be agreed at EU level or, at least, we need to be informed of that timely so that we can react," Vucic said.

The refugee crisis is still ongoing, the prime minister observed, adding that 2,877 migrants entered Serbia yesterday (Jan. 14), while the daily average is at 2,500.

"People in Serbia do not even notice that the problem still exists," Vucic said, pointing out to to "the efficient work of competent authorities."

He thanked the EU commissioner for "the significant assistance provided by the EU during the entire duration of the refugee crisis."

Vucic said that Serbia will "successfully execute each task given by the EU as a serious and responsible country, protecting the rights of these people, respecting human rights, but will also to do what has been agreed and what is the overall policy of the Union."

He thanked the EU for the decision to open an office for humanitarian affairs in Belgrade, stressing that it was "important for our country."

Asked by reporters whether the violence which occurred in Germany could happen here, Vucic said he "does not believe in cataclysmic scenarios" and pointed out that migrants' destination countries are "countries-heroes" - while Serbia is merely a transit country.

"The stories about 400,000, half a million or a million people who are just waiting to come to Serbia are not correct, because they have no desire to be in Serbia," said Vucic.

He reiterated that "Serbia respects these people" and that "cataclysmic scenarios are not realistic" but added that "many things can never be ruled out" and that "no one can guarantee how the agreement between the EU and Turkey will be implemented."

He pointed out that Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski submitted his resignation today "saying there are no guarantees for what will be happening in the region - but Serbia will certainly preserve peace and stability."

Vucic also thanked the EU commissioner, and his country, Cyprus, for the support provided as the EU was deciding to open the first chapters in its accession talks with Serbia.

"I hope that in the coming period even more chapters will be opened and that we will quickly close some, too," Vucic said, thanking Cyprus "for the tremendous support provided on the European road."

"We want to belong to the European family of nations. I am confident that with your help we can build a European democracy that will thrive more economically," said the prime minister.

"Key partner doing admirable job"

Serbia is a key partner of the European Union and it is doing an admirable job in the refugee crisis, Christos Stylianides, European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, said on Friday.

"Serbia is a key partner of the European Union. This is demonstrated by the opening of the first chapters of the accession negotiations last December. Serbia is also a key partner in managing the refugee crisis. This is not a national crisis - not just a European one - it is a global crisis," Stylianides told a joint press conference with Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade.

"We stand with our key partners in Serbia," Stylianides said, adding that the EU will provide financial assistance to the country to enable it to do its part of the work in the refugee crisis.

He said that the meeting with Vucic addressed four main issues: the way Serbia is managing the crisis - for which he also thanked the Serbian leadership - and the EU's commitment to support Serbia in this, humanitarian aid and finding a solution to the refugee crisis, as well as Serbia's participation in EU civil protection mechanisms.

"Serbia is doing an admirable job under challenging circumstances," Stylianides stressed.