PM talks about protests, Savamala, meeting with ambassadors

PM talks about protests, Savamala, meeting with ambassadors

"There have been no riots or problems and I am happy to be the prime minister of such a country," said Vucic.

He added that he "personally" has no problem with the protests - although he does not agree with the motives and and what is being said from the stage. Vucic also said he rejected the theory that ambassadors of the EU and the United States in Belgrade played a role in organizing them. "These people wish Serbia well," he said.

Vucic reiterated that he would not name top Belgrade city officials that he said were responsible for the Savamala demolitions, carried out during election night on April 24. While taking reporters' questions, Vucic noted he would not allow people close to him to be subjected to "hunts."

When a journalist said that "top city authorities could not have ordered the police not to react that night" and that this was something stated in the ombudsman's report, Vucic said that "some would now like to strike at (Interior Minister) Nebojsa Stefanovic," accusing some journalists of being politically motivated and exerting unlawful pressure on the prosecution and the police.

"You won't be dismissing him, because while I am the prime minister those are my decisions, even if it means I will no longer be the prime minister. Now someone thought that Vucic is scared and that 500 people can be replaced, and let's see who's close to Vucic. That won't happen, there was a campaign against (Bratislav) Gasic, now they want one against Stefanovic. We are going to clean up our problems and the mess our people made, and determine the responsibility of every kind - but you will not stop us from pointing out the responsibility of those (who committed) real crimes," said Vucic.

The prime minister then revealed that he spoke with Stefanovic "about the election night and the demolitions" but also "about the criminals and thugs who wore stockings on their heads as they stormed in to arrest (Slobodan) Milosevic."

When asked "why Savamala remains the number one topic in some media," Vucic replied, "so that those laughing have something to do."

"It's hard for them to report about the IMF, the WB, and they cannot say I told an untruth when I said that economic growth has been reported. When they run out of arguments, some cling tightly to the only thing they see. Let them continue, we will show the difference compared to those that were protected by some, who thus benefited," Vucic said and reiterated that "some people did not mind when people were killed in the street and when buildings were demolished (in the past)."

Vucic also spoke about his meeting on Monday with Kyle Scott and Michael Davenport, and said that "different views about some things in the country" were heard, but that the Savamala case was "not one of them." However, the leader of the SNS would not reveal any details from the meeting.

"We had an open and polite conversation, but I have not spoken about its contents either officially or unofficially, and so it will be now. We have issued a statement that all three sides agreed on. I singled out one sentence, they, several of theirs," said Vucic.

He added that he, Scott, and Davenport "do not see every occurrence in the same way."

"However, it is valuable that we can talk about it openly. My job is to protect the interests of Serbia, not to be an errand boy. By the same token it is their job to protect the interests of the U.S. and EU. These people had a respectful attitude towards Serbia, we had a polite conversation during which not a single bad word was spoken. My job is to continue good cooperation and we will continue to cooperate," said Vucic.

The PM-designate also announced he would travel to Brussels for meetings with top EU officials as soon as his new government has been formed, and that he "spoke with some of them over the weekend."

"We agree on about 90 percent of things, but we do not share the same opinion about everything. This is the spirit of Europe, a European value, that we can share our positions," said Vucic.

The SNS leader also said he would not travel to the United States.

"There will be opportunities, because we want the best relations with the U.S.," said Vucic.

When asked who he had expected to meet in the United States before he canceled the trip, Vucic replied by saying: "Relations with the U.S. will not be affected."

"I canceled my trip to the United States and people in Serbia know that I am always responsible enough not to jeopardize Serbia's position - don't be doing the job of the prime minister instead of me," Vucic concluded.

Strategic path

In its report from the news conference, Tanjug quoted Vucic as saying that "Serbia's path towards the EU remains a strategic one, irrespective of daily political circumstances or anyone's personal relationships."

Serbia's strategic course and policy are not changing and Serbia will continue on its European path, but it will also continue its cooperation with Russia, China and other countries, he said.

"Our policy steers the course that is bringing the best results to our citizens," Vucic told reporters.

Serbia does not change its policy in a day or two as the policy was designed to best suit the interests of Serbia and its citizens, Vucic said.

"Serbia will continue on its European path, it will be committed to it, but it will also continue its cooperation with Russia, China and other countries. That is of great significance because it speaks of the reliability, safety and security of investing in our country," Vucic said.