Vučić: "We need urgent government reconstruction; Requirements have been met, it's important to open dialogue"

"Almost 90 days have passed since the terrible tragedy in Novi Sad, in which 15 of our citizens died. Tragedies are something that every country tries to avoid, acts preventively, and when they happen, it tries to learn from the tragedies and punish those responsible. We did our best to help as much as we could, the prosecutor's office filed 13 indictments against those responsible, the same number that Turkey filed for the 80 deaths in a major fire. I say this because in those three months we have heard various accusations against state bodies, we have heard calls for the overthrow of the state and many statements that were not only from the opposition, but also from those of us who belong to the ruling authority. This state of affairs in society does not suit anyone and does not bring anything good to anyone," said Vučić.

President of Serbia emphasized that he is not at all afraid of political repercussions.

"Because it seems to me that the will of the people is clearer than ever. We don't talk to each other, some talk about demands, others that the demands have been met, these say they haven't, neither of them knows, or they didn't want to hear the other side. A few days ago, I asked the government representatives to find out what the other side is insisting on, and they found announcements from the Faculty of Civil Engineering, student announcements... I said let's show good will, that we heard them, that we want dialogue and conversation. This is important for our Serbia, not for Aleksandar Vučić. Then people will see and be on the side of those who want to talk," Vučić said.

Four demands of students

"The students' first request: To publish all documentation regarding the canopy collapse. The Ministry published relevant documentation on the Government's website, especially what they thought was related to the commission of the crime, as did the prosecutor's office. Several tens of thousands of pages, and referred to the railway infrastructure website. The Higher Prosecutor's Office in Novi Sad published the entire case files. Because if there were not all the documents relevant to filing an indictment, there would not have been an indictment against 13 people," Vučić said, adding:

President of Serbia stated that 559 links and 13,042 documents were published on the Government's website.

"They came out and specified the demands regarding the first point. They systematized them into as many as 24 points. We made an additional effort to see what we have, what we don't have, whether we can obtain anything, especially since some of those points have several hundred documents," said Vučić.

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He pointed out that today they have already released new documents and that additional 925 documents are still being published.

"This was requested by representatives of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, classified in cooperation with students, into 24 points, an additional 24 points. It is extremely important for us to be transparent, and for you to see that we have given everything, so that you do not listen to empty stories about someone somewhere hiding something", falsifies, so that everyone can see that we have done our job. First, I do not understand why the Government did not immediately publish the basic contract. That is why I told the Prime Minister that urgent reconstruction is needed. There was no secrecy or confidentiality label on that contract at all. Today, we have published in full 75 contracts with subcontractors, we think there are 72 of them, they will be published the day after tomorrow morning at the latest, because that was not part of the case file. Only now the police went to all the subcontractors, raided and took all the documentation, there are still 7 subcontractor contracts left with subcontractors. Everything important has been published," Vučić said and added:

"I have both provisional situations and invoices, everything is here for you and I am now publishing it in full. The final situation has not been published, it is being released upon completion of all work. Everything was published exactly as requested in the fifth point. Point 6, has little to do with the commission of the crime, published in full and I also wonder why they were not published earlier. Point 8, versions 1, 2 and 3, it has already been published, filled in and all three versions have been shown. Point 9, all 4 versions have been filled in and attached if you already have them on the website tonight and can see them. Point 10, annexes and clarifications have been attached, the annex to the contract does not exist because the content only the price list, and this is also contained in the annexes themselves. Item 11, completed and fully attached. Item 12, construction diary, fully completed. Item 13, monthly report for April, completed. Item 14, inspection book, completed, submitted. Item 15, completed. Item 16, a record of handover and final settlement was requested, the works were not completed and the document does not exist. 18, a conceptual design was requested, completed, attached. 19, completed, a recording and a follow-up email from the contractor were attached. 20, not submitted to the competent authority, as it does not exist, we do not have the completion of the works. 21, it cannot be issued because it is not completed, the accident occurred 14 days after the work report was submitted. Point 24, it was not submitted because the accident did not occur at that time. We have submitted literally everything we have. There is no more documentation that has anything to do with the construction at the train station".

The students' second request

"The students' second request: Public prosecutors' offices have urgently initiated proceedings against 37 persons. These proceedings include everything that was known to the public and for which criminal charges were filed. As for public officials, that has been resolved," Vučić said.

The students' third request

"I will sign the decision on pardon no later than Wednesday. There is a small problem here. 13 students and professors have been prosecuted and a decision on pardon is scheduled to be submitted for all of them. I have never made a decision on pardon during my time as president, I have been president for 9 years. That is always very risky, you cannot always take justice into your own hands. This opens a Pandora's box, which I will have to deal with on a daily basis, if that happens. There is a reasonable suspicion that they committed criminal acts and we are talking about some of the leaders, well-known persons. The violence that was produced has received a pre-investigation procedure. If there is no other solution, in accordance with the law on the President of the Republic and constitutional powers, I will be ready to sign a decision on pardon from criminal prosecution. I will do that no later than Wednesday and they no longer have these problems. So we have met all the requirements," said the President of Serbia.

The students' fourth request

"I'm doing this so that all of Serbia can see that we are able to do everything and fulfill it. And how people will interpret it is up to them. We calculated the increase in costs and immediately said: Here it is for material costs. That will go to professors' salaries. Our calculation is that we need to give about 104 million euros," said Vučić.

"Nobody needs violence. It is important for us that young people return to student life, it is important for us to be able to provide them with conditions so that they do not leave the country, but the stability of the country is also extremely important to us. For us, any crisis of any kind poses a serious problem in the country's economic progress. I think it is in the interest of all people to live better, to have higher salaries, pensions," said Vučić.

Vučić emphasized that he was very happy that the police and other authorities managed to provide those who are protesting with security and peace.

"The students were fair, they stuck to these four demands and did not add on, unlike others. I am sure that this must initiate a dialogue. It is very important that we open a dialogue, that will mean the beginning of healing our society," said the President of Serbia and added:

"We need to calm tensions and talk. I am ready to talk about every problem. Problems are solved through talk, not otherwise. That is the only way to the future, that is what they should be taught in schools, not hatred towards anyone else."

President of Serbia emphasized that it has become clear who is ready to fight and work, and who is not.

"I expect that more than 50 percent of the current ministers will be replaced in a very, very urgent reconstruction of the government," said Vučić.

Vučević's address

Serbian Prime Minister Miloš Vučević has invited all rectors, deans and professors, and above all students, to come to the Government to discuss all these topics.

"The Government is ready to talk to all those who are authorized by the students to speak on their behalf. There are no winners, the winner must be only the state of Serbia and no one else," said Vučević.

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He emphasizes that they are waiting for representatives of students and faculties in the Government.

Ana Brnabić announced a session with a bill on cheap housing loans for young people, as well as limiting interest rates and other important matters.

Vučić also spoke about whether there will be elections and reconstruction and what the state will do in response to the raid on Matica Srpska.

"Maybe there is a criminal offense of disrupting a public gathering. I hope it can end with a clear condemnation of our society, so that it doesn't occur to anyone again. Soon they will form a party and these activists who broke in last night will be part of it, we will fiercely oppose it politically, we will fight and for us Vojvodina is Serbia, and will always be part of Serbia and we will oppose it by all permitted democratic means," said Vučić and added:

"We have offered several things, there will be signatures for a referendum. Because you say that it is important to examine the legitimacy of the holders of state positions. Ana has, we have agreed that she will influence her colleagues from the opposition, we will provide everything else, and we will go to an advisory referendum. Although I probably have a year and a half left until the end of my presidential term, and it does not occur to me to change the Constitution. We are not afraid of elections. I have noticed that big changes are coming, but in the opposition ranks. The party whose president is Miloš Vučević has an even more convincing domination".

Vučić stated that a campaign in one direction provokes a terrible response in other people.

"Everything you say provokes a reaction and a response on the other side", he said.

Vučić said that his estimate was that there were 46/47.000 people at the rally in Jagodina. He is proud that everyone stayed until the end of the rally, but that he is also worried.

"The research was conducted on Friday evening and Saturday morning. This is the last thing that came out", he said.

"I know that many would like someone else to achieve their political goals, and I also know what it looks like when you're young and rebellious. This is not a simple situation, people in Serbia are not the ones who do not see how things are developing. It is important that professors get involved, it is important that they start working. It is your job to be in the classroom and teach students how to make further progress. I call on all people to lower their passions", Vučić concluded.