Vucic: I will speak with Rubio, Costa and 22 presidents and PMs during visit to US

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Friday he would meet with US State Secretary Marco Rubio and European Council President Antonio Costa during an upcoming visit to the US and that he hoped he would speak with EU foreign policy and security chief Kaja Kallas as well, and added that he would also meet with 22 presidents and PMs of countries around the world.

"I will also speak with some African presidents and PMs. Soon, you can expect good news regarding de-recognitions of 'Kosovo's' independence. Those are important things, a lot of work," said Vucic, who will address the UN General Assembly in New York.

In an appearance on Blic TV, Vucic said a Japanese company was ready to invest an additional 500 mln euros in Serbia immediately in case the issue of US tariffs was resolved.

He noted that he was usually pessimistic, but that he believed the problem could be resolved with the US.

"If we were to resolve that, for us, it would not be a matter of exports worth 1 bln. For us, it is a matter of the overall investment environment," Vucic noted.

Asked if the meeting with Rubio would signal the start of strategic dialogue between Serbia and the US and what that dialogue could bring to Serbia, Vucic responded that the US had broken off its strategic dialogue with Pristina due to Albin Kurti's latest actions and his disrespect for his allies.

"For us, that dialogue is very important. We do not have to agree on everything, and we do not and will not agree on the Kosovo-Metohija issue. Serbia is a militarily neutral country and will not be joining NATO or any other military pact or military bloc. Serbia wants to protect its skies and its land on its own. When you put all that together, it is clear that our path of strategic dialogue is slightly narrower compared to some other countries. But the signal that the Americans want that with us is extremely important for us. It is also an extremely important signal to all other investors around the world, as well as for safety and security here," Vucic said.