Vucic: Deeper cooperation in military tech, economy discussed with UAE president

ABU DHABI - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Wednesday his discussion with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi had addressed deepening of cooperation in military technology and a continuation of various economic projects.

Vucic said he had asked his host for assistance in high technologies, especially in military technology, which he noted was important for Serbia due to its position and the fact it was surrounded by NATO members.

"We must become stronger militarily to be able to preserve peace, stability and our sovereignty and independence, without ever threatening anyone, but deterring anyone who might think Serbia could be an easy prey in today's world of complete instability and, I would say, unknowns as to what awaits us tomorrow," Vucic said.

He added that, for that reason, potential cooperation in military technology had been discussed with the UAE president.

Vucic announced a large-scale military parade in Belgrade for September.

"That will be something people in the region have not yet had an opportunity to see. We will demonstrate many things the majority of Serbian citizens do not even know we have acquired, produced or, as experts say, inducted into the Serbian Armed Forces arsenal in the meantime," Vucic said.

He noted that they had also discussed the Serbian energy sector and that, as part of a working visit to the UAE, he would continue discussions about the subject with bin Zayed's aides in the evening.

He said a potential construction of a nuclear power plant in Serbia would guarantee a sufficient supply of power.