Macro arrives in Serbia to discuss its ties with EU, as well as relations with Kosovo

During his two-day visit, President Macro is expected to discuss with Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq, a range of issues, including the purchase of French Rafale aircraft, as well as energy and artificial intelligence issues.

In an authorial writing published Thursday in Serbia's pro-government daily Politika, President Macron wrote that Belgrade could maintain its independent stance “only under the auspices of the EU”.

With the outbreak of war on our continent, launched by Russia, ...the idea that Serbia can seek its way to the eternal balance game between powers... is simply an illusion”, he wrote.

The European Union remains the biggest investor in Serbia, and hundreds of thousands of Serbs work in Western companies.

Late Wednesday, Serbian President Vucic said there were still unresolved issues concerning Serbia's intention to buy Rafale aircraft -- a purchase of about 3 billion euros.

“It's not the price issue, it's a matter of certain guarantees... we're working on this issue for four days now”, he said in an interview with Serbian state television.

In his authorial writing, President Macron also addressed the issue of the Serb minority in Kosovo, reaffirming commitment to the agreement reached between the parties in February and March 2023 in Brussels and Ohrid on normalising relations, on the basis of a plan drafted by France and Germany.

He wrote that the Franco-German proposal preserves “the possibility of Serbs living in Kosovo by respecting the law, but not giving up their identity or natural ties with Serbia, but also the existence of guarantees concerning the preservation of Serbian cultural and religious heritage”.

The French president reiterated the commitment to establishing the Association of Serb majority municipalities in Kosovo, the most difficult part of talks on normalising relations. / VOA/