Vucic: One of toughest years ahead of us

DAVOS - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Wednesday that, politically and economically, one of the toughest years in Serbia's modern history was ahead of the country, announcing that he would meet with German, French, Italian, US and EU representatives on Friday.

Speaking to Serbian reporters in Davos, he said difficult times were ahead, in particular considering his conversation with EU envoy Miroslav Lajcak earlier in the day.

"All I heard is that no one wants to hear or see a different view any more - all they care about is an independent Kosovo and sanctions on Russia, and there can be no opposition. A decisive, crucial year is ahead of us, so it is definitely going to be one of the toughest in our modern history, both economically and politically, and in every other sense," Vucic said.

Serbia faces the question of which policy it will choose - a policy of spurring growth or one of maintaining low public debt, he said.

Noting that he would hold important discussions at the weekend, Vucic said a meeting with five international representatives - Lajcak and representatives of Germany, France, Italy and the US - was confirmed for Friday.

"I expect a difficult discussion and, during the weekend, once we - government representatives and I - finish consultations, we will address the citizens on Monday at the latest to announce new measures and say what is requested and expected from Serbia regarding Kosovo-Metohija, and also the sanctions on Russia," Vucic said.