Prime minister: Serbia "not hiding" its policy

Prime minister: Serbia "not hiding" its policy

BELGRADE -- PM Aleksandar Vučić has told the Večernje Novosti daily that Serbia was "not hiding from Russians, or anyone else" that it is "on the European road."

"Serbia wants good relations with Russia, which I did not hide in Paris, either. I think that's the fairest possible relationship," Vučić said in an interview he gave during Thursday's official visit to France.

When asked what he expected from the upcoming visit to Russia, the prime minister said that he expected "a good and open discussion, in which Russians will present their topics for cooperation, but also some complaints."

He specified that the complaints could concern Serbia's debt for natural gas and added that it amounted to "a little less than EUR 300 million - which will be addressed together with the Russians."

"I will present our desire for good cooperation and probably some complaints," Vučić said.

Responding to the journalist's conclusion that "one of the topics during his visit to Moscow will certainly be the position of Serbia on Ukraine," Vučić said that Serbia "respect the territorial integrity of Ukraine, but does not impose sanctions on Russia."

He singled out as his "main impression from the meetings in Paris" the full support for the efforts being made "on the path of reforms," adding that "French companies are very interested in coming to our country in large numbers."

As for those projects that could be carried out most quickly, Vučić said he expected that Hutchinson, a tire manufacturer, "could come to Serbia."

"They are interested in employing 300 to 500 people. We also consider it important that Vinci and Alstom come...