Macron starts his visit to Serbia today: I am personally committed to the implementation of the Association

2024-08-29 13:39:47Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Macron starts his visit to Serbia today: I am personally committed to the
Emmanuel Macron

The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, starts today his two-day visit to Serbia.

In a public appearance, the president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, gave details about the topics expected to be discussed.

"What is important for us is to talk with Macron about very important issues, about investments, artificial intelligence, the modernization of the airport", said Vučič, who added that military-technical cooperation will also be discussed.

"We will go to the airport together, Macron will go to France, I will go to the Czech Republic. I will participate in an important panel, there will be many bilateral meetings. I only deal with Serbia, my job is to deal with Serbia and the people of Serbia", emphasized the Serbian president.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he regrets the lack of enthusiasm in Serbia for EU accession.

In a letter published Thursday in Serbian media, Macron said that despite Serbia's proximity to the EU, the prospect of the country's membership in the bloc "does not attract as much as it should."

"The road to normalization preserves the essence, the possibility for Serbs to live in Kosovo in accordance with the law, but without giving up their identity", writes Macron, among other things.

The French President underlines that he remains personally committed to the establishment of the Association.

“This road is paved: anything that slows down progress on that road is at the expense of the people who live there. I am convinced that this compromise is in line with the interests of Serbia and, given the strong feelings of the Serbs on this issue, respecting them, I invite Serbia and I invite the young people in Serbia to choose peace and choose the future. Personally, I will remain engaged, as I am sure that the EU as a whole will remain in the implementation of the Ohrid Agreements and, first of all, in the creation of a community of municipalities with a Serbian majority," Macron emphasized.

"In 2019, when I spoke about the Kosovo issue, I spoke about the courage needed to reach a compromise. Convinced that this courage exists in Serbia, we, together with Germany and our European partners, with the support of the United States of America, wanted to help the region avoid unilateral movements, reckless statements and escalation of tensions, casualties the main of which are the people living on the ground, especially the Serbian minority in Kosovo", says the French president.

The President of France Macron is expected to land in Belgrade at 18:00 and then he will be received with an official ceremony at the Serbian presidential palace.

On the second day of the visit, he will also stop in Novi Sad.

The two leaders will discuss issues related to artificial intelligence (AI), as Serbia will take the presidency of the Global Partnership for Artificial Intelligence. Also, Macron will use the visit to reaffirm France's support for Serbia's European path.

Another issue that Macron and Vucic will discuss will be Kosovo.

International media also report that the two leaders will also sign an agreement for the sale of combat aircraft.


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