Vucic, Serbian patriarch discuss fateful matters

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic hosted a lunch for Serbian Patriarch Porfirije and the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church on Wednesday to discuss all fateful matters for the Serbs and Serbia, as well as looming difficulties in the international political arena, especially with regards to the Kosovo-Metohija issue.

"As always, I listened attentively to the opinion of the patriarch and the esteemed bishops, with whom I agreed that unity of the people, especially in times of great challenges, is the pillar for preserving the state and Serbia's national interests, and that the Church, as one of the most significant institutions in our country, has an exceptional role in maintaining that unity," Vucic wrote in an Instagram post.

In a statement, the press service of the Serbian Orthodox Church said the patriarch and the bishops had discussed with Vucic several matters that were very important to the Serbs, in particular the ongoing and upcoming pressure regarding dialogue on Kosovo-Metohija.

Patriarch Porfirije thanked Vucic for his understanding for the needs of his people, which are also the needs of the Church, the statement also said.