Serbia's ties with Albania, North Macedonia never been better: President Vucic

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Serbia’s relations with Albania and North Macedonia “have never been better,” President Aleksandar Vucic said on Wednesday.

“We are satisfied with what we have. Relations between Albania, Serbia, and North Macedonia have never been better,” Vucic said at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Referring to the Open Balkans initiative for a joint economic and political zone between the three Western Balkan states, Vucic said Serbia has an “open-door policy” for anyone ready to cooperate.

“Whoever wants cooperation … is welcome, and that’s it. People think we have to chase someone to justify our existence. We don’t have to,” he said.

“We invited them all. We are satisfied with what we have, we would like to have more, but we are satisfied. We have good cooperation with everyone,” he added.

- ‘European path Serbia’s only policy’

As the Russia-Ukraine war dominates the regional discourse, Vucic reaffirmed that “Serbia is on the European path” and this was the country’s “only policy.”

“Serbs and citizens of Serbia remember what happened more than 20 years ago,” he said, referring to the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999 during the Kosovo War.

Facing incessant pressure from the West to impose sanctions on Moscow, Vucic urged the international community to recognize Serbia’s concerns.

“You have to try to understand … at least listen to us, listen to our problems, don’t repeat to us every day what you want from us. We have our people to look after,” he said.

- US loan for energy projects

Serbia will receive a loan from the US for various energy projects, Vucic said, adding that he had discussed the matter with Reta Jo Lewis, head of the Export-Import Bank of the US.

He said the “large loan” will be used “first for solar projects and later hydro projects.”