2024-10-24 15:09 update: 2024-10-24, 21:25
Photo PAP/Radek Pietruszka
Donald Tusk, Poland’s prime minister, was on Thursday welcomed in the Palace of Serbia by Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, where the two heads of government went on to hold talks.
It is the first visit of a Polish prime minister to Serbia since 2013. The overarching purpose of the trip is to hold conversations on Serbia’s "European prospects."
Later in the day he met with the Serbian president, Aleksandar Vucic, after which the two politicians addressed the press.
At a joint press conference, Tusk said that his stance on Serbia’s place in Europe has not changed in the course of recent years.
"I am being very serious, when I speak about the European prospects for those Balkan countries which are interested," he said and added, "Enlargement of the European Union must include Serbia, because without Serbia, the EU isn't complete."
Tusk also expressed appreciation about the support Serbia has shown to Ukraine, despite its complicated relations with Russia.
"We understand it well why our points of view differ in regards to the relationship with Russia. Therefore I appreciate our mutual understanding when it comes to issues like humanitarian aid for Ukraine and the fact that we can talk about the situation on Poland's eastern border, about Belarus, Russia, and doing so with mutual respect and understanding, despite our different views."
On his part, Vucic said that speaking to Tusk was an honour and called the Polish prime minister one of the most important European leaders. He thanked Tusk for coming to Belgrade when he held the office of the head of the European Council and for always supporting Serbia’s European ambitions."
In his view, Tusk always wanted to listen to the Serbian perspective, setting him apart from other politicians in Brussels.
He added that Poland is Serbia’s vital partner and that relations between the two countries are constantly developing, especially in regards to economy.
He also said that during their conversations, they touched on the subjects of Kosovo, Ukraine and the Middle East. Vucic said that Tusk would like Belgrade to accept the sanctions put on Russia, but added that he also listened to the Serbian point of view.
Lastly, he expressed certainty that Tusk would support his country on its path towards the European Union much more strongly than some of those who regularly make such promises.
Tusk arrived in Serbia on Wednesday evening. That same day he met with Vucic and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for dinner. Afterwards the Serbian president took to the X platform to express his satisfaction at the meeting.
"It’s a great pleasure to be able to host the prime ministers of Poland and Greece. Welcome, dear friends," he wrote, adding photos from the dinner.
He added that the visit of the politicians to his country is an opportunity to exchange views on the situation in Europe, different measures for overcoming challenges and raising the standard of living for the citizens of "our shared, European home."
On his trip Tusk is accompanied by Minister for the European Union Adam Szlapka as well as more than a dozen representatives of Polish business, including the presidents of major Polish companies, such as the state-owned energy giant Orlen, copper producer KGHM, power company Tauron and PGE power group. On Wednesday, they took part in a networking session, while on Thursday they were to participate in panels on economy at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia. (PAP)
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