Vucic: Serbia wants peace in Middle East, closest relations with US

BELGRADE- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Monday Serbia wanted peace in the Middle East and that both Israel and Iran were its friends, and noted that Belgrade was seeking the closest relations and a strategic partnership with Washington even though the US had breached international law by attacking Iran.

"We want the closest relations with the US, a strategic partnership, we are a small country. Have they (the US) trampled international public law? No doubt about it whatsoever. We have spoken about that - openly - also when it was about some other countries, because what is left for a small country to speak about but about respect for international public law and the UN Charter?" he told reporters after a session of the extended Collegium of the Serbian Armed Forces chief of general staff.

He was responding to a question whether he agreed that the US had violated international law again by attacking Iran and how Washington would now be able to talk about respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries.

He noted that the US decision to attack Iran had three consequences.

"The first one is that there is no law, no justice or any rules in today's society. The second one is: how will anyone in the West talk to Russia or anyone else about breaches of someone's territorial integrity? They breached it in Serbia, but many people forget that because it was a long time ago, 26 years ago. What are the principles, what is the law and what are the rules upon which peace in the world will be established?," Vucic said.

He noted that both Iran and Israel had demonstrated they were friends of Serbia and that no antisemitic or antiislamic views could be heard in the country.

Vucic expressed regret Israel and Iran had not succeeded in resolving issues diplomatically.