Americans are now willing to hear our side, says Vucic

President Aleksandar Vucic says the US administration for the first time wants to hear the Serbian side on the issue of Kosovo and Metohija.

"I am grateful to the Americans for the fact that, I think, for the first time since the establishment of the Trump administration - they want to hear us," Vucic said in Ankara on Monday after attending the inauguration of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and added:

"I am not saying they are our allies on the Kosovo and Metohija issue, I am not saying it is easy, and they have a different view on Kosovo, but now they want to hear us, which is no small deal."

The president added that he was not satisfied, but that he can now see "a glimmer of light."

Vucic also said that he spoke with US President Donald Trump several times and that he received confirmation from him that he would visit Serbia - but that he "would not be surprised if he doesn't."

"I spoke with President Trump several times and he confirmed this to me. But you know what a US pPresident's schedule is like and I wouldn't be surprised if he does not come. I hope he will, and we will do everything so that he does," Vucic said.

Vucic added that there is no confirmed date for the visit. "I think his team is working a lot, and when they think the time is right they will inform him about the important issues of the Western Balkans, above all, the issue of resolving the Kosovo and Metohija problem," Vucic said.

He added that the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, will arrive in Serbia by the end of the year, while the Chinese president will visit next year.