Vuchy, Germans: He didn't extend his hand to Albania, Macedonia, now await Serbia's refusal

Serbia's President Aleksandar Vuciq in an interview for German “D E RSPIEGEL” has spoken of non- presence in the EU of Serbia, Albania and Northern Macedonia, as well as of the Balkan Union-Sengent.

Vuciqi has urged EU countries that oppose opening negotiations to provide credible arguments about their refusal, leaving behind performance-related accession criteria.

On the other hand, Vuciq said some of the Serbian people are losing patience to wait for EU entry. While stressing that the “s that do not want to reach out to Albania and Northern Macedonia should also expect Serbia's increased refusal”.

The Serbian president said it is not about the EU, the refusal, but about the free movement of goods and people.

Asked whether Kosovo is part of the mini-Sengen project, Vuciq said Serbs do not see it as selling alone, while stressing that Kosovars do not know what they want.

Part of the interview:

D E RSPIEGEEL: The initial plan was for Serbia to join the EU in 2025, but this is no longer on the table. Who is responsible? French President Emmanuel Macron, who also recently blocked accession negotiations with Albania and Northern Macedonia?

Vucic: It would be so easy to complain about Macro.

The real question is this:

What does the future look like for us here in the Balkans?

Are they counting on us, or do they just want to buy out time?

Be fair to us and stop talking about performance-related accession criteria, because ultimately, as the German philosopher Leibniz “always has enough reason to refuse a country.

D E RSPIEGEEL: Are the Serbian people losing their patience?

Vucic: Polls show that 42% of Serbs favour EU membership and 42% oppose it. The rest are undecided. Those who do not want to reach out to Albania and Northern Macedonia should also expect Serbia's growing refusal.

D E RSPIEGEEL: This would send a catastrophic message, especially given that you have acted for some time as a kind of spokesman for the Western Balkans.

Vucic: I was with the prime ministers of Albania and Northern Macedonia at the Ohrid summit and we agreed on almost every point, including for me to speak with Macro on behalf of all of us, as I did last week.

D E RSPIEGEEL: Apparently without much success. Is that why you are planning your <x0mini-Shengin” in the Balkans?

Vucic: We in the Balkans no longer want to be deceived or ridiculed against each other by large EU countries. My idea for a mini-Sengen area in the Balkans concerns free movement of goods and people. We are strengthening our economic co-operation. We're ending a situation in which our trucks are forced to stand at any border for 90 hours.

D E RSPIEGEEL: Can this step help heal the wounds created by war in Yugoslavia?

Vucic: Project “mini-Shengen” is one of the best things that has happened in this region in 30 years. There is no more war, no more slaughter, but rather some kind of Scandinavian for the poor. We can become a development engine for all of Europe.

D E RSPIEGEEL: Is Kosovo part of the mini-Sengen project?

Vucic: Kosovars don't know what they want. Albin Kurti, who is likely their next leader, seems to want to become the leader of Greater Albania. Kosovo views itself as a state, but we don't see it that way.

D E RSPIEGEEL: Kurti has announced that she plans to adopt a tougher attitude towards Serbia. Have you met him yet?

Vucic: He once insulted my minor daughter and told her to find an Albanian to marry. Then I said: “What I'm asking is this: Why did the West open a Pandora box in 2008 by recognising Kosovo?