BELGRADE -- Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic says former British Prime Minister Tony Blair's trip to Belgrade earlier in the week "did not cost Serbia a penny."
BELGRADE -- Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic says former British Prime Minister Tony Blair's trip to Belgrade earlier in the week "did not cost Serbia a penny."
Source: Beta, Tanjug
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Vucic replied that he "never chats when it comes to such things" and added, "these were serious discussions." He also remarked that he "doesn't even drink coffee."
The prime minister revealed that he met with Blair "five or six times so far."
Vucic also said he was "always ready to learn something, from Blair as well, just as I learned a lot from my friend Gerhard Schroeder."
Vucic rejected the criticism coming from the opposition "because of the encounter with Blair, whose country took part in the NATO bombing" and said that "countries led by Jacques Chirac and Gerhard Schroeder also participated in that and were in 2001 wholeheartedly welcomed and praised by those who are now criticizing."
"My stance toward the bombing has not changed," said Vucic and added that he "kneels in front of nobody and begs noone for anything, and always works to preserve the dignity and pride of the citizens of Serbia."
"Serbia will be the world - open to all," said he.
The prime minister added that "Blair was not here to advise but to train."
Speaking about an Interpol arrest warrant for Momir Stojanovic, an MP from his SNS party, Vucic said that "authorities will investigate the war crimes indictment against Stojanović," raised in Kosovo.
He also said he believed Stojanovic was not guilty.
"I believe that there's nothing serious in the indictment, but authorities will investigate that. I believe that Stojanovic has done nothing wrong," Vucic told reporters after visiting a retirement home in Belgrade on Friday.
Vucic said that the former Kosovo Minister of Returns and Communities Aleksandar Jablanovic was sacked because he pointed out to the stoning of Serbs in Djakovica, and "called a spade a spade."
According to the prime minister, Serbia is in "an unenviable geostrategic position - but will preserve peace and stability."
Commenting on U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's remark that Serbia is the "line of fire in a propaganda war lead by Russia," Vucic said that "Serbia is conducting its policy in the interests of its citizens."
"It is on the road to EU, has good and traditional cooperation with Russia, which it does not change depending on what the newspapers are writing," Vucic said.
I read plenty of anti Blair and anti Vucic sentiment and those sentiments are filled with negative emotions.
Vucic knows like no other that politics is a game. If you like to win then you keep your friends close but your enemies closer. Better the devil you know then the devil you don't, and so on. Vucic is smart, give him a chance.
(T, 2 March 2015 11:27)
Even if it's true, and I'm not convinced, that Blair didn't cost Serbia one penny, he cost Serbia a massive amount of self respect. Why does anyone give credence to this monster Blair? Only in an utterly corrupt world can people like him keep receiving "honors" and invitations. Shame!
(Anna Pullinger, 1 March 2015 09:33)
Vucic had showed that he has no credibility, as a leader or even as a human being. He is nothing more than a political whore!!
(So sad, too bad, 28 February 2015 15:03)
How strange for Vucic to say "training" offered at "no cost" - really?
- The cost was yours and SNS credibility!
Perhaps B92 runs a poll;
Suggesting "spin training by BLIAR" is at no cost is
A. Credible
B. Unbelievable
Or perhaps
A. naive
B. dumb
C. Reckless
I had hope with SNS in 2012,
in 2014 thought perhaps Vucic and SNS knew more then I could comprehend give benefit of doubt,
now in 2015 incredulity and despair that the (apparent) "progressive" party lead by Vucic is more regressive and clearly at the cost of Serbia's interest! They have done nothing more then rapidly "progress" with continuing with US & EUSSR demands on every point possible while spinning balancing good relations with Russia. In reality doing nothing in strengthing them when its obvious that it would be in Serbia's interest to do so.
Serbia can not pretend to sit on the fence while doing all in US & EUSSR interst it strongly needs to show to the world that it works in its interest nothing more nothing less and actively implements real reforms that are meaningful.
Vucic is not that leader - it's clear from the way this Blair meeting occurred, the shamed silence from ministers, the bumbling zorana comment of a chit chat over coffee to the brazen and shameless Vucic comments that serbia's ministers have something to learn from this deceitful weasel of a former PM oh and apparently it was at no cost.
(Principa, 28 February 2015 08:56)
Blair, Schroeder - two so-called "statesmen" who are only interested in lining their own pockets. They represent the lowest echelons of political scum in Europe. Strange bed-fellows for Milosevic's former Minister of Information.No, on the other hand he is the perfect company for them. I didn't realise that the Serbian government had steeped so low... Who will be the next one dropping in to offer advice? "I always tell the truth and only want peace for my great country and saviour of Europe" Putin??Serbia does not deserve the government that is in power... I really do not know how Serbs could have been so duped as to elect them. The muppets would do better than this government!
(Tony (a Brit in Berlin), 28 February 2015 00:03)
Blair in Beograd to train Serbians? I really pitty that training, the evil words that come out of dirty Satans mouth! What circus is this, how can Serbia continue to entertain the ones who destroyed our Jugoslavia? Look at our Serbian and in reality all Eastern Orthodox people in Europe situation today, Blair and Clinton with their world wide hate propaganda campaign during the 1990's trying to make Serbia the Demon of all mankind in the world! Isolation and Demonzation of poor innocent Christian Eastern Orthodox people, is that what Blair came to teach Serbia, SHAME! Like I said before and I say again and again, any Serbian who shakes hands with the ones who murder and torture our poor innocent Serbian Brothers and Sisters and even who murder any of our Eastern Orthodox Brothers and Sisiters in Europe then may their hands rot off !!!
(Dragoljub Djurkovic, 27 February 2015 21:39)
Vucic just when we thought you were returning some respectability to Serbia you go and ruin it by associating yourself with this exceedingly disagreeable individual who is not welcome in Serbia but remains brazen enough to come even when he knows this. Another sad day for Serbia. Don,t forget this man nearly bankrupted the UK but ensured that his own pockets were adequately lined.
(Aghast, 27 February 2015 20:36)
"countries led by Jacques Chirac and Gerhard Schroeder also participated in that and were in 2001 wholeheartedly welcomed and praised by those who are now criticizing."
Chirac & Shroeder came as elected representatives of their countries. The argument can be made that Serbia had to re-establish relations with Western Europe so meeting them was essential.
Blair isn't an elected representative. He's not even a relevant figure in British politics anymore. Not to say he doesn't yield influence. But how is his influence going to help the ordinary person in Serbia? It wont. Hard to feel his visit wasn't very symbolic. I wish the Serbian gov't would have the courage to just say that they hate Serbian victims like Milica Rakic and run in elections on that. [link]
(Ari Gold, 27 February 2015 18:38)
"countries led by Jacques Chirac and Gerhard Schroeder also participated in that and were in 2001 wholeheartedly welcomed and praised by those who are now criticizing."
Chirac & Shroeder came as elected representatives of their countries. The argument can be made that Serbia had to re-establish relations with Western Europe so meeting them was essential.
Blair isn't an elected representative. He's not even a relevant figure in British politics anymore. Not to say he doesn't yield influence. But how is his influence going to help the ordinary person in Serbia? It wont. Hard to feel his visit wasn't very symbolic. I wish the Serbian gov't would have the courage to just say that they hate Serbian victims like Milica Rakic and run in elections on that. [link]
(Ari Gold, 27 February 2015 18:38)
Vucic just when we thought you were returning some respectability to Serbia you go and ruin it by associating yourself with this exceedingly disagreeable individual who is not welcome in Serbia but remains brazen enough to come even when he knows this. Another sad day for Serbia. Don,t forget this man nearly bankrupted the UK but ensured that his own pockets were adequately lined.
(Aghast, 27 February 2015 20:36)
Blair in Beograd to train Serbians? I really pitty that training, the evil words that come out of dirty Satans mouth! What circus is this, how can Serbia continue to entertain the ones who destroyed our Jugoslavia? Look at our Serbian and in reality all Eastern Orthodox people in Europe situation today, Blair and Clinton with their world wide hate propaganda campaign during the 1990's trying to make Serbia the Demon of all mankind in the world! Isolation and Demonzation of poor innocent Christian Eastern Orthodox people, is that what Blair came to teach Serbia, SHAME! Like I said before and I say again and again, any Serbian who shakes hands with the ones who murder and torture our poor innocent Serbian Brothers and Sisters and even who murder any of our Eastern Orthodox Brothers and Sisiters in Europe then may their hands rot off !!!
(Dragoljub Djurkovic, 27 February 2015 21:39)
Blair, Schroeder - two so-called "statesmen" who are only interested in lining their own pockets. They represent the lowest echelons of political scum in Europe. Strange bed-fellows for Milosevic's former Minister of Information.No, on the other hand he is the perfect company for them. I didn't realise that the Serbian government had steeped so low... Who will be the next one dropping in to offer advice? "I always tell the truth and only want peace for my great country and saviour of Europe" Putin??Serbia does not deserve the government that is in power... I really do not know how Serbs could have been so duped as to elect them. The muppets would do better than this government!
(Tony (a Brit in Berlin), 28 February 2015 00:03)
Vucic had showed that he has no credibility, as a leader or even as a human being. He is nothing more than a political whore!!
(So sad, too bad, 28 February 2015 15:03)
How strange for Vucic to say "training" offered at "no cost" - really?
- The cost was yours and SNS credibility!
Perhaps B92 runs a poll;
Suggesting "spin training by BLIAR" is at no cost is
A. Credible
B. Unbelievable
Or perhaps
A. naive
B. dumb
C. Reckless
I had hope with SNS in 2012,
in 2014 thought perhaps Vucic and SNS knew more then I could comprehend give benefit of doubt,
now in 2015 incredulity and despair that the (apparent) "progressive" party lead by Vucic is more regressive and clearly at the cost of Serbia's interest! They have done nothing more then rapidly "progress" with continuing with US & EUSSR demands on every point possible while spinning balancing good relations with Russia. In reality doing nothing in strengthing them when its obvious that it would be in Serbia's interest to do so.
Serbia can not pretend to sit on the fence while doing all in US & EUSSR interst it strongly needs to show to the world that it works in its interest nothing more nothing less and actively implements real reforms that are meaningful.
Vucic is not that leader - it's clear from the way this Blair meeting occurred, the shamed silence from ministers, the bumbling zorana comment of a chit chat over coffee to the brazen and shameless Vucic comments that serbia's ministers have something to learn from this deceitful weasel of a former PM oh and apparently it was at no cost.
(Principa, 28 February 2015 08:56)
Even if it's true, and I'm not convinced, that Blair didn't cost Serbia one penny, he cost Serbia a massive amount of self respect. Why does anyone give credence to this monster Blair? Only in an utterly corrupt world can people like him keep receiving "honors" and invitations. Shame!
(Anna Pullinger, 1 March 2015 09:33)
I read plenty of anti Blair and anti Vucic sentiment and those sentiments are filled with negative emotions.
Vucic knows like no other that politics is a game. If you like to win then you keep your friends close but your enemies closer. Better the devil you know then the devil you don't, and so on. Vucic is smart, give him a chance.
(T, 2 March 2015 11:27)
Blair in Beograd to train Serbians? I really pitty that training, the evil words that come out of dirty Satans mouth! What circus is this, how can Serbia continue to entertain the ones who destroyed our Jugoslavia? Look at our Serbian and in reality all Eastern Orthodox people in Europe situation today, Blair and Clinton with their world wide hate propaganda campaign during the 1990's trying to make Serbia the Demon of all mankind in the world! Isolation and Demonzation of poor innocent Christian Eastern Orthodox people, is that what Blair came to teach Serbia, SHAME! Like I said before and I say again and again, any Serbian who shakes hands with the ones who murder and torture our poor innocent Serbian Brothers and Sisters and even who murder any of our Eastern Orthodox Brothers and Sisiters in Europe then may their hands rot off !!!
(Dragoljub Djurkovic, 27 February 2015 21:39)
"countries led by Jacques Chirac and Gerhard Schroeder also participated in that and were in 2001 wholeheartedly welcomed and praised by those who are now criticizing."
Chirac & Shroeder came as elected representatives of their countries. The argument can be made that Serbia had to re-establish relations with Western Europe so meeting them was essential.
Blair isn't an elected representative. He's not even a relevant figure in British politics anymore. Not to say he doesn't yield influence. But how is his influence going to help the ordinary person in Serbia? It wont. Hard to feel his visit wasn't very symbolic. I wish the Serbian gov't would have the courage to just say that they hate Serbian victims like Milica Rakic and run in elections on that. [link]
(Ari Gold, 27 February 2015 18:38)
I read plenty of anti Blair and anti Vucic sentiment and those sentiments are filled with negative emotions.
Vucic knows like no other that politics is a game. If you like to win then you keep your friends close but your enemies closer. Better the devil you know then the devil you don't, and so on. Vucic is smart, give him a chance.
(T, 2 March 2015 11:27)
Vucic just when we thought you were returning some respectability to Serbia you go and ruin it by associating yourself with this exceedingly disagreeable individual who is not welcome in Serbia but remains brazen enough to come even when he knows this. Another sad day for Serbia. Don,t forget this man nearly bankrupted the UK but ensured that his own pockets were adequately lined.
(Aghast, 27 February 2015 20:36)
How strange for Vucic to say "training" offered at "no cost" - really?
- The cost was yours and SNS credibility!
Perhaps B92 runs a poll;
Suggesting "spin training by BLIAR" is at no cost is
A. Credible
B. Unbelievable
Or perhaps
A. naive
B. dumb
C. Reckless
I had hope with SNS in 2012,
in 2014 thought perhaps Vucic and SNS knew more then I could comprehend give benefit of doubt,
now in 2015 incredulity and despair that the (apparent) "progressive" party lead by Vucic is more regressive and clearly at the cost of Serbia's interest! They have done nothing more then rapidly "progress" with continuing with US & EUSSR demands on every point possible while spinning balancing good relations with Russia. In reality doing nothing in strengthing them when its obvious that it would be in Serbia's interest to do so.
Serbia can not pretend to sit on the fence while doing all in US & EUSSR interst it strongly needs to show to the world that it works in its interest nothing more nothing less and actively implements real reforms that are meaningful.
Vucic is not that leader - it's clear from the way this Blair meeting occurred, the shamed silence from ministers, the bumbling zorana comment of a chit chat over coffee to the brazen and shameless Vucic comments that serbia's ministers have something to learn from this deceitful weasel of a former PM oh and apparently it was at no cost.
(Principa, 28 February 2015 08:56)
Vucic had showed that he has no credibility, as a leader or even as a human being. He is nothing more than a political whore!!
(So sad, too bad, 28 February 2015 15:03)
Blair, Schroeder - two so-called "statesmen" who are only interested in lining their own pockets. They represent the lowest echelons of political scum in Europe. Strange bed-fellows for Milosevic's former Minister of Information.No, on the other hand he is the perfect company for them. I didn't realise that the Serbian government had steeped so low... Who will be the next one dropping in to offer advice? "I always tell the truth and only want peace for my great country and saviour of Europe" Putin??Serbia does not deserve the government that is in power... I really do not know how Serbs could have been so duped as to elect them. The muppets would do better than this government!
(Tony (a Brit in Berlin), 28 February 2015 00:03)
Even if it's true, and I'm not convinced, that Blair didn't cost Serbia one penny, he cost Serbia a massive amount of self respect. Why does anyone give credence to this monster Blair? Only in an utterly corrupt world can people like him keep receiving "honors" and invitations. Shame!
(Anna Pullinger, 1 March 2015 09:33)