Vučić after meeting Zelensky: Serbia has slim chances of quick EU accession
Vučić said trade with Ukraine has climbed and that, despite support for Kyiv, rapid EU accession for Serbia looks unlikely for political reasons.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and signing a Memorandum of Understanding on agricultural cooperation that trade between Belgrade and Kyiv has risen sharply and he expects the relationship to deepen.
Vučić reiterated Serbia's support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and said the two countries back each other on the path toward the European Union. He also answered reporters' questions about the prospect of rapid EU accession.
Trade and economic ties
"We have significantly raised the level of trade exchange between our countries; last year it amounted to about $450 million. Already this year, in the first six months, it is significantly higher, about $321 million. Our most important import product from Ukraine is iron ore. I believe that, through cooperation in agriculture, but also energy and other areas, trade will be much larger," Vučić said at the start of the conference.
On the question of membership speed, Vučić told Zelensky he understands the Ukrainian leader's eagerness to join the EU soon but said quick accession for Serbia appears unlikely. "As a political veteran, at this moment I do not see a possibility, above all, for Serbia to become a member of the EU soon, for a number of political reasons. And I fully stand behind what I wrote with the prime minister of Albania, Edi Rama," he said.
He expressed disbelief that Europe would reach unanimity to accelerate enlargement. "All Europeans will be inclined toward Ukraine's membership," he said, adding: "They always find someone. For us, they will find some Croats, Bulgarians, Dutch. For the Ukrainians they will find others. But at this moment I do not see a possibility for this to be realistically carried out."
Vučić stressed he will not create obstacles for Ukraine's EU path. He also argued for the benefits of a single market: "I spoke about why I think the idea of a single market is crucial for all of us, because Ukraine has a lot of natural resources, it has valuable people who can give a lot to Europe. I think the same about Serbia. But if you ask me whether I truly believe there will be unanimity in Europe regarding speeding up European integration, I do not. Unfortunately, it turned out that my scepticism was justified," Vučić insisted.
Photo: MILAN ILIC/BETAPHOTO / Sipa Press / Profimedia
