"90% of Serbs realized for first time crimes were committed"

"90% of Serbs realized for first time crimes were committed"

"Serbs understand that people in Bosnia suffered unspeakably," Vucic said in an interview with Sueddeutsche Zeitung, which he gave during his working visit to Bavaria on Monday.

Commenting on the attack against him during the commemoration in Srebrenica, he emphasized that he did not want to cancel his attendance, although there were signs that something of the kind might happen.

Vucic reiterated that the situation was "not a pleasant," that he was there to bow before the victims, but "did not back down before the stones, and after the event never used harsh words, but invited the Presidency of Bosnia-Herzegovina to visit Belgrade."

"We used this grave incident to improve our relations," he said.

Asked if he himself was responsible for the escalation of violence because he "refused" a British draft resolution on Srebrenica brought before the UN, Vucic said that he as Serbia's prime minister "neither contested nor confirmed the legal term."

''I condemn in the strongest manner what happened 20 years ago. I detest those people who were able to commit such terrible crimes,'' said Vucic.

He, however, reiterated his belief that it would be impossible to find two persons that such a resolution would reconcile.

Recalling that next year marks the 75th anniversary of the creation of the Jasenovac concentration camp - operated by the Independent State of Croatia (NDH) Ustasha regime - "where Serbs and Jews made up 95 percent of the victims" Vucic asked whether the UN would also adopt a resolution on this occasion.

'' I doubt it, '' he noted.

According to Vucic "problems must not be flared up on each anniversary" and instead, "we must talk."

He believes that it is possible to change the notions held so far instead of "constantly presenting oneself as the victim."

Regarding the announced referendum in the Serb Republic (RS), Vucic said he was not sure whether it would take place:

''On behalf of Serbia I asked RS representatives to reconsider the idea. I said that it would be useful to avoid that referendum."

When the German daily noted that Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic "does not contribute to stability when he calls into question the independence of Kosovo" - Vucic said that "according to the Serbian Constitution" Kosovo is a part of Serbia.

This, he said, "is seen differently by the Kosovo Albanians who believe that Kosovo is an independent state."

Serbia, however, said Vucic, has already made many concessions, and the citizens of Serbia would not accept to recognize Kosovo as an independent state.

"Serbia is doing everything in its power to calm the situation down, the Kosovo Serbs are part of the government and of political life of Kosovo," Vucic remarked, and added that "Kosovo will not be a source of some greater instability, among other things, because Serbia has built good relations with Albania."

When the journalist said that "the EU did not care enough about the Western Balkans in recent years" and that "too much time may have been lost," Vucic responds by saying it was "not at all too late."

''Unlike most countries in the region, we have carried out very difficult economic austerity measures. German investments were very helpful in this to become more stable. We, however, still need European investments," said Vucic.

Asked "how torn he feels between Russia and the EU," Vucic "emphasized that Serbia's strategic goal is to become a part of the EU," something he said he "openly told the president of Russia."

On the other hand Serbia wants to maintain "traditionally good contacts with Russia."

"And that's all. We will not become a part of a Euro-Asian alliance or anything of the kind. We are doing everything in our power to come to the EU,'' he said.

Asked "to explain how it happened that so many people from Serbia have requested asylum in Germany," Vucic said that these were not asylum seekers "but people who just want German money."

''We are doing our best to improve the standard of living here. For this we need also Germany's support. We are counted among safe countries of origin. Most people who left Serbia are Romas," he said.

He then added that "Serbs are neither racist nor nationalist - we offer all of our citizens equal opportunities."

When it comes to migrants arriving in Serbia, Vucic said 800 to 1,000 new migrants are being registered every day, but that "Serbia is only a transit country for them."

"The average salary in Serbia is EUR 380, which is not particularly attractive," the prime minister said.