SERBIA’S president has promised to lead the Balkan nation into the European Union and said the fact that Russia is arming the Serbian military does not threaten that goal.
Aleksandar Vucic said he wants to seek EU membership while at the same time maintaining strong ties with other countries. “We know where we are going, which means that we are on our EU path, that’s the strategic goal of our country.
“At the same time, we want to preserve the very best relations with Russia, Turkey, China, US and all others.” Under the leadership of former ultranationalist Vucic, Serbia has been formally seeking EU membership, but also preserving close relations with historic Slavic ally Russia.
Russia has been supplying Serbia with MiG-29 fighter jets, and plans to deliver battle tanks and armoured vehicles.
Some Western officials have voiced concern over Russia’s arming of Serbia in the wake of the bloody disintegration of former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, and have called on Belgrade to firmly say where it is going, East or West.
“I see nothing wrong with that and it works, it will work, that’s our politics and we are militarily neutral,” Vucic said.
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