Vucic: We are not hiding it from Russia, we want to be in EU

BELGRADE - Serbia is not hiding from the Russians or anybody else that it is on a European path, Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has said ahead of his official visit to Moscow next week.

“Serbia wants good relations with the Russian Federation, which I did not hide even in Paris. I think it is the fairest possible relationship,” Vucic said in an interview published by Belgrade-based daily Vecernje Novosti on Friday.

Asked about his expectations from his upcoming visit to Russia following his visit to Paris on Thursday, the prime minister said that he expected “good and open talks, where the Russians will present some of their themes for cooperation, but also level some criticism at us.”

He said that there could be complaints about Serbia’s debt for gas, amounting to a little less than EUR 300 million, adding that the issue would be resolved together with the Russians.

“We will express our desire for good cooperation, and probably some complaints, too,” said Vucic.

After the journalist interviewing him said that Serbia's stance towards Ukraine would surely be one of the topics in Moscow, Vucic pointed out that Serbia “respects the territorial integrity of Ukraine, but will not impose sanctions on Russia.”

Speaking about his official visit to France, Vucic said that Paris supported Serbia’s efforts in implementing reforms and French companies were interested in doing business in Serbia.

He said that French bicycle tire manufacturer Hutchinson might come first and employ between 300 and 500 people, adding that arrival of other companies, such as Vinci, Alstom and Bouygues had also been discussed.

When asked what the French could actually do to assist...