Vucic: Serbia is on EU path, that is our strategic goal

TIVAT - Serbia is on the EU path, and that is its strategic goal, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said in Tivat, Montenegro, on Friday.

Vucic is in Tivat for the EU-Western Balkans Summit.

Asked by foreign reporters about his expectations from the summit and whether Serbia was ready to get closer to the EU, Vucic responded that he believed it would be one of the most important summits in recent years. "

In fact, I have already had very good discussions with EU leaders - Ursula von der Leyen, Antonio Costa, Friedrich Merz and Emmanuel Macron. And I also believe we will see great progress from Western Balkan countries in the future. Of course, we have to carry out many reforms. But, at the end of the day, there was no preaching or lecturing from anyone. We were treated with true respect, and that is something we appreciate very much," he said.

Asked if Serbia would feel closer to the EU than to Russia, Vucic responded:

"We are on our path to the EU. That is all I can tell you. That is our strategic goal.

Vucic: Important meeting with von der Leyen, Costa, Macron and Merz about Serbia's EU future

TIVAT, - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who is attending the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, Montenegro, said on Friday he had had an important meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, French President Emanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about Serbia's EU future and that he had noted the significance of maintaining a credible enlargement policy and a clear European perspective for the Western Balkans.

"An important meeting with Ursula von der Leyen, Antonio Costa, Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz about Serbia's European future, the EU enlargement process and the steps we are taking as part of our reform agenda," Vucic posted on his buducnostsrbijeav Instagram account.

Vucic noted that he had spoken about activities Serbia was conducting with the aim of meeting its commitments in the accession process, including reforms in the fields of rule of law, electoral legislation and implementation of recommendations by relevant European institutions.

"I noted that Serbia will fulfil all recommendations by the Venice Commission, in line with European standards," Vucic added.

He wrote that the situation in the region and Europe had been discussed as well.

"I noted the significance of peace, stability and cooperation for any further progress, as well as the significance of maintaining a credible enlargement policy and a clear European perspective for Western Balkan countries. I expressed the expectation that the EU will present and advance a new enlargement methodology that will further strengthen the process of the candidates' European integration," Vucic noted.

Earlier, Vucic also met with Slovak PM Robert Fico.

On Thursday, he spoke with Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis.