Vucic: EU path, economic and energy cooperation to be discussed with Zelenskyy

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday evening his discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who will pay an official visit to Serbia on Saturday, would address several important topics, including the EU path of Ukraine and Serbia, bilateral economic cooperation and cooperation in the energy sector.

"To date, we have had five or six meetings, mostly at various summits and conferences. We have several important topics. One of them is the European path of Ukraine and Serbia, since we are in approximately similar situations and face the same or similar problems on the European path. I believe we will discuss ways to help each other regarding that matter, if that is possible, and to learn certain things from each other," Vucic told reporters in Belgrade following a welcoming ceremony for a Serbian fire and rescue team that had returned from Spain after helping firefighting efforts in the country.

Vucic said bilateral economic cooperation and cooperation in the energy sector would also be discussed with Ukraine.

Besides these crucial matters, all other topics, including cooperation in culture and sports, are open to discussion, he said.

Vucic noted that Ukraine did not recognise the so-called Kosovo and that it had hosted two Southeast Europe-Ukraine summits in its territory to date without ever inviting Pristina's representatives.

"Those are things we must respect," Vucic noted.

Asked whether Zelenskyy's visit meant that Serbia would join the sanctions on Russia, Vucic said Serbia had established its policy on the sanctions almost five years ago and that it would not be changed until further notice.