President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić . File photoBELGRADE, June 10 The Serbian authorities first heard about the need to recognize Kosovo's independence in order to join the EU from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during his visit to the Balkans, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said. visit to the Western Balkans, the trip began with the self-proclaimed Republic of Kosovo. After a meeting with «Prime Minister» Albin Kurti Scholz, he said that by imposing sanctions against the Russian Federation, the Kosovo «government» showed that «it stands on our side in the international community», and also said that the entry into the EU of Serbia and the self-proclaimed Republic of Kosovo is impossible without mutual recognition Belgrade and Pristina.
Scholz demanded that Serbia impose sanctions against Russia and recognize Kosovo «We have never heard from anyone in Europe before that mutual recognition is required. We have heard that it is required, and this is included in the negotiating platform (on entry — ed.) Serbia with the EU and this is a comprehensive normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina. No one has ever talked about international recognition, except for the Americans, who adopted this doctrine three years ago. No one in Europe now officially demands mutual recognition, we heard this today at a press conference in Pristina,» Vucic said at a joint press conference after the meeting. «Just as you value the territorial integrity of Ukraine, we value the territorial integrity of Serbia,» Vucic told the audience. He recalled that Belgrade officially condemned the military special operation of the Russian Federation, including in international organizations. Earlier, he said that Chancellor Scholz «in a very clear and sharp way demanded that Serbia join the sanctions against the Russian Federation», or rather support the restrictive measures that the EU has already introduced with respect to Russia. Before that, the President of Serbia met the German Chancellor at the Belgrade airport with a guard of honor and a red carpet. Then, to the sounds of the national anthems of Germany and Serbia, also with the formation of a guard of honor and a line of government members, the head of state welcomed the guest at the Serbian Chamber government complex, where negotiations took place. .jpg» />The Balkans — a new front in the war with Russia
