Belgrade Prepared for Macro Waiting

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will have the holiday. Finally, French President Emmanuel Macron will arrive in Serbia. This reception in Paris, Vucic intends to return with high honours.

Macron had cancelled his December visit due to protests. Marion Dautry, for four years from Paris, has moved to Serbia. The free journalist writes about some French media. She's been asking a lot about her president's orders these days. For the Balkans these are more important because the French will not focus much.

Marion Dautry, journalist: The interest of international actors France and the EU is the continuation of dialogue and I don't believe we will have statements on what should be the proper solution for Kosovo, as statements have been that the parties should find the solution and not be imposed by a third factor. I guess there won't be any movement on this line.

This is the mention of Serbian-French friendship in the capital's fortress. In World War I they were allies, and France helped Serbs after crossing Albania and returning them from Thessaloniki.

That friendship left the 100th anniversary of the war bitter after the Serbian president was divided, a country considered worse than that of Kosovo President Hashim Thaci. This had made a large part of Serbs as allies feel offended. But the president will only visit Serbia after Russia, and in Belgrade will remain two days.

Mihailo Chernobnja, professor “Emerius”: I doubt there will be important conclusions. Macron will try to do what he is publicly engaged in, which is to bring the parties together for a crucial dialogue that should lead to the solution, Abcnews reports.

France took part in Kosovo's organisation of the Berlin summit. The July 1st Kosovo-Serbia summit later failed. It would be good for the French as Marion if France brought peace. But everything seems difficult.

Marion Dautry, journalist: When you're a stranger, it's easier to look at things from a distance to a goal. But it is harder to say enough of these nonsense, as this issue is important for both Serbia and Kosovo, as the solution will create a precedent.

Serbia is key to French support on the road to the European Union. The role that France will have following Chancellor Angela Merkel's departure will be important at least for a while. For the Serbian president, however, it is achievement that after two decades, he personally expects the counterpart from whom he also expects support for dialogue with Kosovo.