Vučić responds to Helez: "It is an inflammatory statement, but Serbia will not fall for provocations"

Commenting on attacks from the region, Vučić said that the most important thing is to preserve peace.

“At a time of hysteria and widespread attacks against our country, the most important thing is to preserve peace and to carefully weigh every word and every letter,” he said.

Asked by reporters about a statement by Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Defence Minister Zukan Helez regarding the abolition of Republika Srpska, Vučić said it was a very bad and inflammatory statement.

“I don’t know how anyone else could suspend it. It is a very bad, ominous and inflammatory statement. I wish them success. We will not respond provocatively. Some people overestimate themselves and underestimate others. It is bad that, through such emotions, you can clearly see what they think about Republika Srpska and the Dayton Accords. If someone uses every opportunity to undermine it, it is clear that the whole story surrounding the funeral was intended to provide additional ammunition. We must remain calm and not fall for provocations. We have Bosniaks living in our country, and we must look after them. I do not want to say a single harsh word,” he said.

“Should we go to war? I don’t want that,” he added.

Commenting on threats made by Jovo Bakić, he said:

“I promised that I would swim. I will not say a single word about it. Until a certain date, I am only the President of Serbia; after that, I will speak about it,” Vučić said at the end.