Vucic: World's largest countries, except US, do not recognise so-called Kosovo

CHANTILLY - Speaking at the World Policy Conference (WPC) in Chantilly, France, on Saturday, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that, today, many forgot that Serbia had been attacked without UN Security Council consent 27 years ago, and noted that the world's largest and most powerful countries, except the US, did not recognise the so-called Kosovo.

At a panel moderated by WPC founder Thierry de Montbrial, Vucic said Serbia remained in a difficult situation because of the Kosovo-Metohija issue.

"Some of your guests said: 'The war in Ukraine was the first war in Europe after WWII', but that is not true. We were attacked 27 years ago, which was not in line with UN resolutions and the UN Charter, and no one can deny that. It was an easy decision for the big Western powers, without any kind of Security Council consent. Today, when I speak to the French, the Germans and others, they always say the same and use the same sentence: 'Aleksandar, why are you still looking to the past? Turn to the future.' They tell me: 'Look after the future of your country,'" Vucic said.

He added that he always responded that Serbia was working and had higher economic growth even though it might not be a rich country.

"However, are you prepared to go to Ukraine and tell my friend Volodymyr Zelenskyy: 'Listen, do not think about the past. What happened to the Crimea in 2014 did happen, but who cares?'" Vucic noted.

Everywhere in the world, there are countries that do not recognise the so-called Kosovo, he added.

"China, Kazakhstan, Russia, many other countries, India, and all the others. And you think 'We have made a decision, and that is it.' The largest and most powerful countries, except the US, have not made such a decision. That is how we get to a situation where we are not fully aligned with the EU foreign policy," Vucic said.

He added that Serbia had received recommendations in that regard, too, and noted that the country could become a part of a European defence system but not a part of NATO.