Vucic: Serbia pillar of stability in Western Balkans

NEW YORK - Serbia is a pillar of stability in the Western Balkan region, Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday during the talks with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

This is why Serbia did not respond to provocations, and this is a testimony of its strength, not weakness, Vucic said during his meeting with Ban in New York on Thursday, ahead of the UN Security Council session on Kosovo.

He noted that the Serbian government adopted several important laws, implemented some critical reforms and conducted fiscal consolidation, and it also reached a precautionary arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

This shows that the country is on the right track and that we do not need any destabilisation in the Western Balkans, Vucic said.

He underscored that although Belgrade and Pristina maintain different stands on the issue of Kosovo's independence, Serbia will fight for the life of people in Kosovo and their future in the area. He noted that Belgrade will continue the talks with Pristina under EU auspices.

The prime minister invited the UN secretary general to come and visit Serbia.

During the meeting, Ban Ki-moon underscored that the UN is always ready to cooperate with the Serbian government and countries in the region.

Belgrade-Pristina ties are very important and we hope the top-level dialogue will continue after the constitution of the Pristina government, he said.

Ban underscored that Serbia's chairmanship in OSCE bears great importance because it will make room for closer cooperation with the UN in the promotion of peace and stability. He also welcomed Serbia's decision to increase the number of its participants in peacekeeping missions under UN...