Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Serbia and Austria have good relations, but that their stances on Kosovo differ, RTS reports today.
Speaking at a joint press conference following the meeting with his Austrian counterpart, Alexander Van der Bellen, President Vucic said he has informed his Austrian friends about Serbia’s readiness to talk about Belgrade-Pristina relations, and that it is needed to reach a negotiated solution.
He also praised relations between Serbia and Austria, asking official Vienna to try to show restraint and wait for eventual possibilities of reaching a compromise solution about Kosovo, primarily when it comes to the possible admission of Kosovo to Interpol, since this would open at least two major problems.
The first problem, in case of admission would be that the Albanians would not want to talk anymore, but would rather just wait for the next step, OSCE and UN respectively. They would be high on their triumph and would not want compromise solution. Serbia would not succumb to that pressure and we would reach a blind alley without a way out,” Vucic underlined.
The second problem would be an increased number of arrests warrants, respectively warrants for 5000 Serbs, who took part in the 1999 conflict. These people would not know if they can travel, and this would create tensions on a daily level and additional conflicts.
“I did not understand well domestic politicians who are supporting Kosovo admission to Interpol. I see no good consequences in such act,” Vucic added.
On the other hand, Austrian President Van der Bellen said that Austria with all its heart supports Serbia’s path to the EU, adding he has impression from the talks with the EU High Representative Federica Mogherinin that she supports, if there is an agreement between the two sides, that the EU, USA and all those directly and indirectly involved in resolving this issue, should benevolently consider that solution.
“Regarding exchange of territories, I am aware there are different stances of experts. The stance of Austria is, if there is a peaceful and agreed solution reached by Belgrade and Pristina, that the solution must be benevolently considered. The emphasis is on a peaceful agreement between the two sides,” Austrian President said.
He also added, the EU does not want to admit new members with unresolved bilateral, respective borders’ issues, RTS reported.
