We will respect EU will,no subsidies,no sanctions for Russia

BELGRADE - Serbia will respect the will of the European Union and it will not grant subsidies for export of Serbian products to Russia, but it will not introduce sanctions for the Russian Federation either, Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic stated on Friday.

Addressing a news conference, Vucic explained that Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Oscar Benedict delivered an aide-memoire to him in Obrenovac two days ago, notifying the Serbian government that it should refrain from any measures aimed at support of exports to Russia, which practically means that the country should not substantially or considerably expand its export stake in the Russian market thus replacing the export of EU member countries.

“We are taking the notification we received in a responsible manner and we will maintain a responsible attitude thereon. This is a document of a lower degree than a demarche, but we do not wish to underestimate its contents and it would be irresponsible if we were to behave in such a way,” Vucic said.

Nevertheless, Serbia has nothing to do with the conflicts in Ukraine, it did not cause them nor did it take any side in them, he added.

“We want peace and we are striving for peace,” Vucic said and added that citizens “can rest assured in the knowledge that Serbia is in no jeopardy whatsoever.”

He also said that there is no need for Serbia to introduce new or additional subsidies for export of goods to Russia and reiterated that the will of the EU shall be respected because EU membership is the country's strategic goal and the policy the citizens voted for in the elections.

“We are conducting this policy because it embodies the will of the Serbian government and Serbian citizens who...