Acting SNS leader says Nikolić's EU visit was success

Acting President of the SNS party Aleksandar Vucic told B92 on Thursday he did not wish to become Belgrade mayor by cheating. "I said it, when dirty media structures of the DS invented that I wished to become mayor, that the difference between (Dragan) Djilas and myself is that I can say anything to him, while he cannot do the same," Vucic stated, and added that he "preferred opposition benches to deceit". Acting SNS leader says Nikolic's EU visit was success Commenting on Tomislav Nikolic's visit to Brussels today, Vucic said he was there as Serbia's president, not as party member: "I believe the visit was successful, I spoke with the president and with the representatives of the other side, the EC representatives in Brussels and Belgrade, and I think the expectations of both sides are great. The president's, because of what is ahead of Serbia, and that's not an easy period, and as far as their side I think they are satisfied with the president's answers." He added that when asked by reporters if it was true that he carried bombs several years ago, Nikolic said he was in Brussels in order to "bring Serbia to the EU and in order to have peace and prosperity in the Balkans". Vucic added that Nikolic was protesting the interests of Serbia. He added that he said that the date for the EU talks will be given, "not because that's good so that Blic and B92 will not attack you, but because it's important for the citizens of Serbia." Vucic also said that "nobody came to the inauguration of Boris Tadic four years ago, yet you did not remember to remind us of that". Speaking on behalf of Nikolic, he stressed he wished the best relations with Croatia, and that he would always make an effort to show friendship toward the neighboring country. He explained that he had no influence on Nikolic, that he was his friend, and that as a friend he always spoke his mind. "As far as Nikolic goes he is my friend. He's a man I trust, he's president of Serbia, who, I am convinced, will do a better job than Tadic." "I think it's important that Serbia see a president act in line with what he promised, and to fulfull that as well, to fight against corruption and crime. He does not have all the instruments, but his reputation is such that he can move and control the government, and he can move it forward," Vuci said. Aleksandar Vucic (file) Tanjug

Acting SNS leader says Nikolić's EU visit was success

Commenting on Tomislav Nikolić's visit to Brussels today, Vučić said he was there as Serbia's president, not as party member:

"I believe the visit was successful, I spoke with the president and with the representatives of the other side, the EC representatives in Brussels and Belgrade, and I think the expectations of both sides are great. The president's, because of what is ahead of Serbia, and that's not an easy period, and as far as their side I think they are satisfied with the president's answers."

He added that when asked by reporters if it was true that he carried bombs several years ago, Nikolić said he was in Brussels in order to "bring Serbia to the EU and in order to have peace and prosperity in the Balkans".

Vučić added that Nikolić was protesting the interests of Serbia. He added that he said that the date for the EU talks will be given, "not because that's good so that Blic and B92 will not attack you, but because it's important for the citizens of Serbia."

Vučić also said that "nobody came to the inauguration of Boris Tadić four years ago, yet you did not remember to remind us of that". Speaking on behalf of Nikolić, he stressed he wished the best relations with Croatia, and that he would always make an effort to show friendship toward the neighboring country.

He explained that he had no influence on Nikolić, that he was his friend, and that as a friend he always spoke his mind.

"As far as Nikolić goes he is my friend. He's a man I trust, he's president of Serbia, who, I am convinced, will do a better job than Tadić."

"I think it's important that Serbia see a president act in line with what he promised, and to fulfull that as well, to fight against corruption and crime. He does not have all the instruments, but his reputation is such that he can move and control the government, and he can move it forward," Vuči said.