President says he was "very hurt" by some Kosovo remarks

we are all fucked up neither is serbia economically strong nor kosovo nor macedonia nor montenegro everywhere corruption and people are leaving in mases to eur countrys.

Dragi Srbi, please do not get all worked up on the EU membership. That entity is not going to exist for too many years. Use your energy and brains to never give up KOSOVO.

Njegos


"more foreign invenstments will help our nations economy to grow"

You are so delusional. Why are hundreds of thousands of young serbs leaving for Germany if the economy is "growing" so much? Yugoslavia is dead. You are not relevant anymore. Those times are long gone. You are nothing but a russian satellite state right now. No future. No children. Nothing.


A relic of the past that will no one will remember. A fantastic ending for everyone

"which considers Kosovo to be the heart of Serbia and the spiritual cradle of its faith" saying that if the price to pay for EU membership is to drop sovereignty claims over Kosovo, then it is not worth it.
--
That pretty much sums it up. EU membership is not worth giving up Kosovo and that is how the overwhelming majority of Serbians think. I don't understand why that would hurt Vucic but my suspicions are he is leaning too far to the west. OK, I understand he has to at least show willingness to resolve the issue but I think most people know that a solution will not come anytime soon, which is why Vucic is not optimistic and why so many Serbs support a frozen conflict.

So most Serbians realise this and see the prospects of joining the EU as something distant, no point devoting ones energy to it. Even the signals coming from the EU question whether it's really worth it when our friends in the East, Russia, China, et al. are getting stronger and more influential.

As for a conflict, this is highly unlikely. Firstly, it is the job of KFOR to keep the peace and secondly, Albanians would use it to claim legitimate refugee status in the EU, thus emptying "Kosova"***. The EU would not risk it.

While Vucic has given Serbia a credible presence on the international stage and has represented Serbian interests responsibly, my gut tells me that if left to him, he would make concessions that most in Serbia would not support in order to join the EU. It is clear that Vucic wants EU membership for Serbia to be his legacy, even if it means giving up Kosovo. One has to realize that Vucic was born in 1970. Therefore, he grew up in communist Yugoslavia. As such, I would assume that his connection to Kosovo as the Serb holy land is somewhat less than those Serbs born earlier and those born after the wars of the 90s.

Vucic will not be recognized as a credible leader by his own people if he gives Kosovo away. If he is smart he will put the issue to a referendum for the Serbian people to decide. And in my opinion, the people will choose to hang on to Kosovo, which will prevent or significantly delay entry to the EU. The people should decide, not one person. The EU needs Serbia for stability in the western Balkans. While Serbia waits it out for favorable terms, its economy is growing with more foreign investment every day. The Serbian position isn't nearly as bad as Serbia's enemies on this site would have one believe.

From Cushing: "Why are hundreds of thousands of young serbs leaving for Germany if the economy is "growing" so much? Yugoslavia is dead. You are not relevant anymore. Those times are long gone."

Cushing, are you trying to overtake Azir for the'most stupid comments' award for 2018? Sure seems like it.

If what you imply above is true (hundreds of thousands of Serbs are leaving and the economy isn't growing and the country is dead) then what do you make of Kosovo? Serbia is light years ahead of Kosovo in every measurable economic metric. Please compare GDP, unemployment, wage increases, foreign investment and military spending between Serbia and Kosovo and report back to us. Until then, your unsubstantiated comments will be given the same level of seriousness that your friend Azir's receive - they will be laughed at. LMAOAY!!

From Tito reloaded: "Vucic was in the 90s one of the guys that wanted war."

Wrong! Vicic didn't start the wars, nor did any other Serb. Serbia didn't break international law and the country's constitution by prematurely seceding and unilaterally declaring independence. Vucic didn't, nor did any other Serb advocate using fascist symbols for a new state. Vucic didn't, nor did any other Serb form a new country whereby Croats, Muslims and Albanians were relegated to minority status overnight with no say whatsoever regarding their future. No, instead all of this was done by Croats, Muslims and Albanians to the detriment of the Serbs. War was inevitable after these things took place and everyone know it. Yet the Croats, Muslims and Albanians felt emboldened by the support they received from the western powers. The rest is history. You live by the sword and you die by the sword. Tito reloaded, might I suggest you brush up on your history of the region.

Well then if it’s not worth it why don’t you stop integration and benefiting from EU per-accession grants and money? Or maybe because it is worth it. You have free billions on one side, or a territory whose people loathe you and can drag you in another 1999 type of loss.

You are so delusional. Why are hundreds of thousands of young serbs leaving for Germany if the economy is "growing" so much? Yugoslavia is dead. You are not relevant anymore. Those times are long gone. You are nothing but a russian satellite state right now. No future. No children. Nothing.


A relic of the past that will no one will remember. A fantastic ending for everyone
(Cushing, 18 May 2018 17:54)

@ cushingaj - If what you describe as Serbija today (above), imagine what this stolen from Serbia piece of land called "kosova" represents...

One has to realize that Vucic was born in 1970. Therefore, he grew up in communist Yugoslavia. As such, I would assume that his connection to Kosovo as the Serb holy land is somewhat less than those Serbs born earlier and those born after the wars of the 90s.
@njegos
Are you serious?
Vucic was in the 90s one of the guys that wanted war. He was an enemy of yugoslavia and anybody that thinks like a communist.

Bratstvo i jedinstvo

Hatred? Of course Mr Vucic.
Because. We citizens of rep. Serbia do not wish to hand over a large piercw of land to
1 ethnic minority.
Never has been done ever globally not this time.
Such actions invites others to do likewise.
Be cautious Mr Vucic.
Never. No, no+&no.

Zoran

"As for a conflict, this is highly unlikely. Firstly, it is the job of KFOR to keep the peace and secondly, Albanians would use it to claim legitimate refugee status in the EU, thus emptying "Kosova"... The EU would not risk it."

I agree completely.

"According to the article, Vucic is also facing "significant reticence to the idea of EU membership back home" with Orthodox Church, "which considers Kosovo to be the heart of Serbia and the spiritual cradle of its faith" saying that if the price to pay for EU membership is to drop sovereignty claims over Kosovo, then it is not worth it."

It isn't worth it. Nobody is under the illusion that Serbia currently has any defacto sovereignty over most of Kosovo. But it's the claim to sovereignty that still means something. It's this claim that is stopping kosovo* from becoming a real country.

Why give that up? The EU openly says no new members for next 10 years. Serbia should just spend the next decade on building the Union of Serb Municipalities and continue talking with the Albanians.

The only real compromise I see over Kosovo is for Serbia to get the north plus referendums in Republika Srpska and Montenegro over joining Serbia. This is not a separate issue. Either territorial integrity survives, or right to national self-determination. No more switching back and forth only when it's to the detriment of Serbs.

Serbia is light years ahead of Kosovo in every measurable economic metric. Please compare GDP, unemployment, wage increases, foreign investment and military spending between Serbia and Kosovo
(njegos, 19 May 2018 04:16)

The gross average wage (converted to Euros) increased by less than 2% in Serbia vs an increase of about 20% in Kosovo between 2012 and 2016. So, your statement that Serbia is light years ahead of Kosovo in every measurable economic metric is false.

Serbia’s biggest trading partner is Bosnia as per Serbian PM. That comment reflects the true economic picture of Serbia. Average wages are below $800 Euros per month. Given the opportunity, young Serbs leave for a better future or just don’t have kids. Everything changes with EU membership. Vucic knows this and is trying to get the best deal but is not in the drivers seat when negotiating. Those Serbs in this forum who support Kosovo over EU membership and a frozen conflict, live a comfortable life in a Western Country and have probably never visited Kosovo.

Serbia in the EU would be the strongest Balkan partner.

@njegos
The nationalism was spreading in the 80s in all republics. Tudjman, Izetbegovic, Milosevic all supported nationalism. People that warned from a war because they were against the rising nationalism had to leave.
Vucic was with Seselj who claimed to be the new cetnik leader, which was a organisation that during the ww2 started to cooperate with fascists, some of them were running away with Ustasha to Bleiburg.Vucic made some very bad comments and propaganda during the 90s.
I am against any nationalism and to say that the politicians from any republic were innocent is pretty much wrong.

From icj1: "The gross average wage (converted to Euros) increased by less than 2% in Serbia vs an increase of about 20% in Kosovo between 2012 and 2016. So, your statement that Serbia is light years ahead of Kosovo in every measurable economic metric is false."

icj1, the average wage in Serbia increased by 19% from January 2017 to January 2018 while the average wage in Kosovo for the same time period increased by 3.3%. So, while you focus on the years 2012 - 2016, I prefer to deal in the hear and now. Economically, much has changed in Serbia in the last 2 & 1/2 years. But if it suits your argument, by all means keep reciting ancient history. The rest of the world, however, has moved on. Back to the drawing board icj1.

From icj1: "According to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, what you wrote above is lie (of course, that is not a surprise)!"

Sorry icj1, my statistics come from tradingeconomics.com which is a resource put together and used by many economists worldwide to gauge trends in 196 countries. But then again, I wouldn't expect you to know such things.

BTW, where did your (OLD) statistics come from icj1? HAHA!! Please answer.

@ijc1 Assuming the data you provided are true, this incredible raise of wages for a country that doesnt have a currency of its own which means government cant print money to somehow influence the financial market if needed, can it be a suicidal economic oversight on the long term? Because this was exactly what happened to Greece, you raise wages over what your economy can afford and then you become a failed state. The difference is Greeks are paying a very high price for being "bailed out" by Germans (in fact selling donating everything to Germans) while to bail out Kosovo our patriotic diaspora will need to work 20 hours and send home even their blood? Also do you think like I do that Kosovo is light years ahead of Albania since it can afford by far higher pensions ?

the average wage in Serbia increased by 19% from January 2017 to January 2018
(njegos, 20 May 2018 22:43)

According to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, what you wrote above is lie (of course, that is not a surprise)!

the average wage in Serbia increased by 19% from January 2017 to January 2018
(njegos, 20 May 2018 22:43)

According to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, what you wrote above is lie (of course, that is not a surprise)!

the average wage in Serbia increased by 19% from January 2017 to January 2018
(njegos, 20 May 2018 22:43)

According to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, what you wrote above is lie (of course, that is not a surprise)!
(icj1, 21 May 2018 14:28)

Sorry icj1, my statistics come from tradingeconomics.com which is a resource put together and used by many economists worldwide to gauge trends in 196 countries. But then again, I wouldn't expect you to know such things.
(njegos, 21 May 2018 17:10)

Well, I already checked tradingeconomics.com, but there is a note in there which says that the source of the data is the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia. Since I don't use data second-hand when possible, I went to the primary source of the data, which is the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia which says http://publikacije.stat.gov.rs/G2018/PdfE/G20181075.pdf for January 2018 that compared with the same month last year, average gross salaries and wages increased by 6.8% in nominal terms, and by 4.8% in real terms, while average net salaries and wages increased by 7.2% in nominal terms and by 5.2% in real terms. Your 19% is nowhere to be seen! lol

So, either (A) you are not capable of reading the tradingeconomics.com data or (B) tradingeconomics.com did made errors when inputting the data from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia (which is why using data second-hand is not advised lol).

"which considers Kosovo to be the heart of Serbia and the spiritual cradle of its faith" saying that if the price to pay for EU membership is to drop sovereignty claims over Kosovo, then it is not worth it.
--
That pretty much sums it up. EU membership is not worth giving up Kosovo and that is how the overwhelming majority of Serbians think. I don't understand why that would hurt Vucic but my suspicions are he is leaning too far to the west. OK, I understand he has to at least show willingness to resolve the issue but I think most people know that a solution will not come anytime soon, which is why Vucic is not optimistic and why so many Serbs support a frozen conflict.

So most Serbians realise this and see the prospects of joining the EU as something distant, no point devoting ones energy to it. Even the signals coming from the EU question whether it's really worth it when our friends in the East, Russia, China, et al. are getting stronger and more influential.

As for a conflict, this is highly unlikely. Firstly, it is the job of KFOR to keep the peace and secondly, Albanians would use it to claim legitimate refugee status in the EU, thus emptying "Kosova"***. The EU would not risk it.

Well then if it’s not worth it why don’t you stop integration and benefiting from EU per-accession grants and money? Or maybe because it is worth it. You have free billions on one side, or a territory whose people loathe you and can drag you in another 1999 type of loss.

While Vucic has given Serbia a credible presence on the international stage and has represented Serbian interests responsibly, my gut tells me that if left to him, he would make concessions that most in Serbia would not support in order to join the EU. It is clear that Vucic wants EU membership for Serbia to be his legacy, even if it means giving up Kosovo. One has to realize that Vucic was born in 1970. Therefore, he grew up in communist Yugoslavia. As such, I would assume that his connection to Kosovo as the Serb holy land is somewhat less than those Serbs born earlier and those born after the wars of the 90s.

Vucic will not be recognized as a credible leader by his own people if he gives Kosovo away. If he is smart he will put the issue to a referendum for the Serbian people to decide. And in my opinion, the people will choose to hang on to Kosovo, which will prevent or significantly delay entry to the EU. The people should decide, not one person. The EU needs Serbia for stability in the western Balkans. While Serbia waits it out for favorable terms, its economy is growing with more foreign investment every day. The Serbian position isn't nearly as bad as Serbia's enemies on this site would have one believe.

You are so delusional. Why are hundreds of thousands of young serbs leaving for Germany if the economy is "growing" so much? Yugoslavia is dead. You are not relevant anymore. Those times are long gone. You are nothing but a russian satellite state right now. No future. No children. Nothing.


A relic of the past that will no one will remember. A fantastic ending for everyone
(Cushing, 18 May 2018 17:54)

@ cushingaj - If what you describe as Serbija today (above), imagine what this stolen from Serbia piece of land called "kosova" represents...

From Tito reloaded: "Vucic was in the 90s one of the guys that wanted war."

Wrong! Vicic didn't start the wars, nor did any other Serb. Serbia didn't break international law and the country's constitution by prematurely seceding and unilaterally declaring independence. Vucic didn't, nor did any other Serb advocate using fascist symbols for a new state. Vucic didn't, nor did any other Serb form a new country whereby Croats, Muslims and Albanians were relegated to minority status overnight with no say whatsoever regarding their future. No, instead all of this was done by Croats, Muslims and Albanians to the detriment of the Serbs. War was inevitable after these things took place and everyone know it. Yet the Croats, Muslims and Albanians felt emboldened by the support they received from the western powers. The rest is history. You live by the sword and you die by the sword. Tito reloaded, might I suggest you brush up on your history of the region.

Njegos


"more foreign invenstments will help our nations economy to grow"

You are so delusional. Why are hundreds of thousands of young serbs leaving for Germany if the economy is "growing" so much? Yugoslavia is dead. You are not relevant anymore. Those times are long gone. You are nothing but a russian satellite state right now. No future. No children. Nothing.


A relic of the past that will no one will remember. A fantastic ending for everyone

"According to the article, Vucic is also facing "significant reticence to the idea of EU membership back home" with Orthodox Church, "which considers Kosovo to be the heart of Serbia and the spiritual cradle of its faith" saying that if the price to pay for EU membership is to drop sovereignty claims over Kosovo, then it is not worth it."

It isn't worth it. Nobody is under the illusion that Serbia currently has any defacto sovereignty over most of Kosovo. But it's the claim to sovereignty that still means something. It's this claim that is stopping kosovo* from becoming a real country.

Why give that up? The EU openly says no new members for next 10 years. Serbia should just spend the next decade on building the Union of Serb Municipalities and continue talking with the Albanians.

The only real compromise I see over Kosovo is for Serbia to get the north plus referendums in Republika Srpska and Montenegro over joining Serbia. This is not a separate issue. Either territorial integrity survives, or right to national self-determination. No more switching back and forth only when it's to the detriment of Serbs.

Zoran

"As for a conflict, this is highly unlikely. Firstly, it is the job of KFOR to keep the peace and secondly, Albanians would use it to claim legitimate refugee status in the EU, thus emptying "Kosova"... The EU would not risk it."

I agree completely.

Serbia is light years ahead of Kosovo in every measurable economic metric. Please compare GDP, unemployment, wage increases, foreign investment and military spending between Serbia and Kosovo
(njegos, 19 May 2018 04:16)

The gross average wage (converted to Euros) increased by less than 2% in Serbia vs an increase of about 20% in Kosovo between 2012 and 2016. So, your statement that Serbia is light years ahead of Kosovo in every measurable economic metric is false.

One has to realize that Vucic was born in 1970. Therefore, he grew up in communist Yugoslavia. As such, I would assume that his connection to Kosovo as the Serb holy land is somewhat less than those Serbs born earlier and those born after the wars of the 90s.
@njegos
Are you serious?
Vucic was in the 90s one of the guys that wanted war. He was an enemy of yugoslavia and anybody that thinks like a communist.

Bratstvo i jedinstvo

From Cushing: "Why are hundreds of thousands of young serbs leaving for Germany if the economy is "growing" so much? Yugoslavia is dead. You are not relevant anymore. Those times are long gone."

Cushing, are you trying to overtake Azir for the'most stupid comments' award for 2018? Sure seems like it.

If what you imply above is true (hundreds of thousands of Serbs are leaving and the economy isn't growing and the country is dead) then what do you make of Kosovo? Serbia is light years ahead of Kosovo in every measurable economic metric. Please compare GDP, unemployment, wage increases, foreign investment and military spending between Serbia and Kosovo and report back to us. Until then, your unsubstantiated comments will be given the same level of seriousness that your friend Azir's receive - they will be laughed at. LMAOAY!!

Dragi Srbi, please do not get all worked up on the EU membership. That entity is not going to exist for too many years. Use your energy and brains to never give up KOSOVO.

@njegos
The nationalism was spreading in the 80s in all republics. Tudjman, Izetbegovic, Milosevic all supported nationalism. People that warned from a war because they were against the rising nationalism had to leave.
Vucic was with Seselj who claimed to be the new cetnik leader, which was a organisation that during the ww2 started to cooperate with fascists, some of them were running away with Ustasha to Bleiburg.Vucic made some very bad comments and propaganda during the 90s.
I am against any nationalism and to say that the politicians from any republic were innocent is pretty much wrong.

Serbia’s biggest trading partner is Bosnia as per Serbian PM. That comment reflects the true economic picture of Serbia. Average wages are below $800 Euros per month. Given the opportunity, young Serbs leave for a better future or just don’t have kids. Everything changes with EU membership. Vucic knows this and is trying to get the best deal but is not in the drivers seat when negotiating. Those Serbs in this forum who support Kosovo over EU membership and a frozen conflict, live a comfortable life in a Western Country and have probably never visited Kosovo.

Serbia in the EU would be the strongest Balkan partner.

the average wage in Serbia increased by 19% from January 2017 to January 2018
(njegos, 20 May 2018 22:43)

According to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, what you wrote above is lie (of course, that is not a surprise)!

we are all fucked up neither is serbia economically strong nor kosovo nor macedonia nor montenegro everywhere corruption and people are leaving in mases to eur countrys.

Hatred? Of course Mr Vucic.
Because. We citizens of rep. Serbia do not wish to hand over a large piercw of land to
1 ethnic minority.
Never has been done ever globally not this time.
Such actions invites others to do likewise.
Be cautious Mr Vucic.
Never. No, no+&no.

the average wage in Serbia increased by 19% from January 2017 to January 2018
(njegos, 20 May 2018 22:43)

According to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, what you wrote above is lie (of course, that is not a surprise)!

@ijc1 Assuming the data you provided are true, this incredible raise of wages for a country that doesnt have a currency of its own which means government cant print money to somehow influence the financial market if needed, can it be a suicidal economic oversight on the long term? Because this was exactly what happened to Greece, you raise wages over what your economy can afford and then you become a failed state. The difference is Greeks are paying a very high price for being "bailed out" by Germans (in fact selling donating everything to Germans) while to bail out Kosovo our patriotic diaspora will need to work 20 hours and send home even their blood? Also do you think like I do that Kosovo is light years ahead of Albania since it can afford by far higher pensions ?

From icj1: "The gross average wage (converted to Euros) increased by less than 2% in Serbia vs an increase of about 20% in Kosovo between 2012 and 2016. So, your statement that Serbia is light years ahead of Kosovo in every measurable economic metric is false."

icj1, the average wage in Serbia increased by 19% from January 2017 to January 2018 while the average wage in Kosovo for the same time period increased by 3.3%. So, while you focus on the years 2012 - 2016, I prefer to deal in the hear and now. Economically, much has changed in Serbia in the last 2 & 1/2 years. But if it suits your argument, by all means keep reciting ancient history. The rest of the world, however, has moved on. Back to the drawing board icj1.

From icj1: "According to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, what you wrote above is lie (of course, that is not a surprise)!"

Sorry icj1, my statistics come from tradingeconomics.com which is a resource put together and used by many economists worldwide to gauge trends in 196 countries. But then again, I wouldn't expect you to know such things.

BTW, where did your (OLD) statistics come from icj1? HAHA!! Please answer.

the average wage in Serbia increased by 19% from January 2017 to January 2018
(njegos, 20 May 2018 22:43)

According to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, what you wrote above is lie (of course, that is not a surprise)!
(icj1, 21 May 2018 14:28)

Sorry icj1, my statistics come from tradingeconomics.com which is a resource put together and used by many economists worldwide to gauge trends in 196 countries. But then again, I wouldn't expect you to know such things.
(njegos, 21 May 2018 17:10)

Well, I already checked tradingeconomics.com, but there is a note in there which says that the source of the data is the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia. Since I don't use data second-hand when possible, I went to the primary source of the data, which is the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia which says http://publikacije.stat.gov.rs/G2018/PdfE/G20181075.pdf for January 2018 that compared with the same month last year, average gross salaries and wages increased by 6.8% in nominal terms, and by 4.8% in real terms, while average net salaries and wages increased by 7.2% in nominal terms and by 5.2% in real terms. Your 19% is nowhere to be seen! lol

So, either (A) you are not capable of reading the tradingeconomics.com data or (B) tradingeconomics.com did made errors when inputting the data from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia (which is why using data second-hand is not advised lol).