Vucic: I understand US national interests, we must adhere to international law

TREBINJE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Monday he understood US national interests but that Serbia must adhere to international law.

Speaking to reporters in Trebinje, Republika Srpska, Vucic was responding to a question whether he was afraid of potential reactions to his remarks about disrespect of international law in the case of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Vucic said he had always spoken the truth and been trying to protect Serbian interests.

"The Serbs are a freedom-loving nation and the Serbian state has more significant historical roots than many larger nations in Europe and, as president of that country - which, to me, is the most beautiful country in the world - I was acting accordingly. I spoke the truth. At the same time, I have exceptional respect for both President (Donald) Trump and the US. I understand their national interests, but we are a small country that must adhere to respect for international law. We have no other option," Vucic said.

Asked about Trump's threats regarding Greenland and EU reactions slamming the US president's statements about annexation, Vucic responded:

"They adhere to territorial integrity when they are under threat, but not when Serbia is."

"Denmark says territorial integrity must be respected. So says France and so says England. The UN Charter? Really? Except in the case of Serbia. When they wanted to trample Serbia underfoot, no one cared about the UN Charter, no one cared about (UNSC) Resolution 1244. And today, when they are the ones who are under threat, they are adhering to that."

"I must understand what the US national interests are, and since I understand them well, I have also assessed the consequences of that well. Economically, we will probably have the best year in the history of Serbia, but politically, we will have one of the most difficult ones," Vucic said.

"Greenland makes up a huge part of European territory. It belongs to the EU and EU laws apply in Greenland," he added.

Vucic noted that Serbia would be on the side of respect for international public law but would not get involved in any conflicts or wars.

Vucic: Serbia ready to invest more than 200 mln euros in Trebinje airport

TREBINJE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Monday in Trebinje, Republika Srpska, that Serbia was ready to invest more than 200 mln euros in the construction of a Trebinje airport, and asked the Republika Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina leaderships to be accommodating to the major investment and issue the required permits.

"We have another mayor investment here in Trebinje and I would like to ask both the Republika Srpska leadership and the Bosnia and Herzegovina leadership to be accommodating to a huge investment. We are ready to invest more than 200 mln euros in a Trebinje airport. The first things and the preparatory works have been completed. We are just asking for the necessary permits," Vucic said after attending an opening ceremony at the Holy Archdeacon Stefan - January 9 Hospital in Trebinje alongside top Republika Srpska officials.

He said Serbia had no problems with funding that investment and that it would be important for both Republika Srpska and entire Bosnia and Herzegovina.