Prime minister starts two-day visit to Germany

Prime minister starts two-day visit to Germany

According to the announcement from Berlin, the main topics of discussion will be bilateral relations, as well as European and economic issues. Merkel and Vučić will discuss the situation in the region and the consequences of the floods that affeceted Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The prime minister said earlier this week that Serbia "needs a chance and wants an alliance with Germany."

"Serbia is a small country that wants to solve its problems, not in conflict with anyone in the region and the world and is turning to its European future," Vučić said in an article published in the German Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung daily, and added that "our country has become a reliable partner and wants Germany for an ally."

He acknowledged that Serbia and its politicians, including himself, "did not well understand the world around them in the 199s, as well as their own needs." At that time, said Vučić, "we had no allies, because they did not look for them, and did not listen to anyone."

"Of course, in those 90s, we were defeated at every level and the price of this heavy defeat and such policies we are paying today," said Vučić. "Not at all surprisingly, Serbs and Serbia have never enjoyed great popularity and sympathy of the German people and the state, in part because our leaderships always thought that political trickery will win the support and trust of major European powers. We were an unreliable partner and we did not know how to be an ally," he explained.

But today, Vučić continued, things are in many ways are different - "not because it is Serbia that has radically changed - it will take years for that to happen essentially - but because we are now fully aware that, as we cannot deceive our people, we cannot and dare not even try in the international arena."

"Because, if nothing else, it is quite clear that what we promise, or say we are going to do, we really do it, and say to the face, clearly and bluntly what we have to say and what it is that which we are not able to do. It seems to me, after the Brussels agreement and the reaching of an agreement with Priština, after a clear and unequivocal stabilizing role of Serbia in the region, as well as the commencement of serious economic reforms that we will, perhaps, after many years, to get the opportunity from the German state to be treated as Germany treats our neighbors," said Vučić ahead of his visit.

"Serbia needs a chance and little bit more trust," he said and added that some kind of skepticism and suspicious view toward Serbia is still felt from some German parliamentarians tasked with finding at any cost, only the bad, and not accidental avoidance to see the many good things and changes that bring a different future throughout the Western Balkans.

"Serbia in the great global game understands the many objections on the occasion of the latest crisis in Ukraine," said Vučić noting that Serbia, "to the surprise of many, clearly supported the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine within its internationally - legally recognized borders," but that, "for economic and political reasons," has not imposed sanctions on Russia.

In front of us, according to him, are a number of tasks - "those in the economic field, which is certainly the most difficult, but also those political, that continue to pull the traces of the past and threaten to leave us in it, such as Kosovo, Bosnia, and many others."

"In solving the problems of the Western Balkans, even where its position is different from the German, Serbia knows that without the help and support of the German state, it will be able to do nothing," he said, adding that Serbia "for the first time in its history, and he as its prime minister, freely and without any hesitation says that we want Germany as an ally, not because Germany has the money, and we so smart and will take something for ourselves, but because we are willing to learn from Germans and other Europeans, and respect those who are ahead of us."

"I am not ashamed to say, in an unusual way for those who run governments of their countries, that I am honored and very nervous before the meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel. All who know me well know that I do not bootlick anyone. These jitters and anxiety are not because of my personal, political, or any other fear or worry, but for Serbia, our future, and I know how much this future depends on the attitude of Chancellor Merkel and the German state. We cannot help Germany much, except to guarantee full stability in the Balkans, without conflict and turbulence and that we will be a reliable friend also in times when it will not be as easy as it is today," stressed Vučić.

He then expressed his gratitude to "Merkel and the German people for the great help and support that we as a country got after the devastating floods," saying that "the Serbs will not forget it."

"Serbia moves forward toward Europe and pleads for and expects the support of Germany for that road," said Vučić.