PM: We want to be reliable ally of Germany

PM: We want to be reliable ally of Germany

"As representatives of Serbia we will behave responsibly and seriously and what we consider our most important message is that Serbia will be a reliable ally of Germany," Vučić said at a press conference held at the government.

"That is difficult keeping in mind the power of Serbia and that of Germany, but it is the desire of Serbia and we speak about it without being ashamed, be an ally of Germany, which Serbia did not know how to be before."

"That is the policy of the Serbian government and policy of this country. It is important for our country in the political, economic and every other sense," the prime minister said, adding that "everyone wants to be a friend and ally of Germany."

Vučić also said on Monday that he would have a series of meetings with the prime ministers of several European countries and other officials, adding that European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso would visit Serbia on June 29.

"June and early July will be a period of foreign affairs activity unseen in the last ten years. We certainly find the meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel the most important," Vučić said.

The prime minister spoke about a June 30 Serbian-German business forum, which he will open together with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, as one of the most significant events for Serbia in the near future.

He also announced being in Paris on June 3 to have talks with French Prime Minister Manuel Valls and going on a two-day visit to Romania and meeting with the country’s prime minister and the prime ministers of Georgia, Moldova, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, who would also be there.

Vučić will also meet with the prime ministers of the countries of the region – Slovenia’s Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek and Hungarian Premier Viktor Orban. Joint meeting with the government of these countries are also expected.

“Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will be on a visit to Belgrade tomorrow, and the Russian foreign minister will be arriving after him,” Vučić said.

100 years

Serbia must not forget its heroes and great feats from the past, Aleksandar Vučić said on Monday in reference to the 100th anniversary of World War I, adding that he hopes the next 100 years will be marked by peace.

Addressing a news conference in Belgrade, Vučić said that he would confer with RS President Milorad Dodik on Tuesday and that the celebration of the WWI 100th anniversary on Friday would also be attended by director Emir Kusturica, Minister of Culture Ivan Tasovac and Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić.

Noting that Serbia is proud of its past and that it must not forget heroic feats, Vučić expressed the hope that the years ahead would be marked by peace.

"I hope that the next 100 years in Serbia would be marked by peace, that Serbia would be successful in economy and that the future generations will have a good future," Vučić said.

Constitution

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić is performing his duties in line with the Constitution, and that also applies to Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko's upcoming visit to Belgrade, Aleksandar Vučić said on Monday.

Asked to comment on the fact that Nikolić's meeting with Lukashenko will coincide with his discussions with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin - which media portray as an attempt to undermine his trip to Germany - Vučić said that "Tomislav Nikolić is performing his presidential duties in line with the Constitution".

"I will be on a two-day visit to Germany at that time, and that is all I can say," he told the press conference.