President Aleksandar Vucic said on Wednesday that he told German Chancellor Olaf Scholz that Serbia would not be the cause of any problems and the Western Balkans will have peace and stability.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Scholz, Vucic said that they discussed the war in Ukraine and regional relations, adding that the talks were very open. “I don’t think only one side is to blame for the problems in Bosnia-Herzegovina but I promised Scholz that Serbia won’t be the cause of any problems and when we promise something, we keep our word and in that regard the Western Balkans will have peace and stability,” he said.

He said that the German chancellor was very clear about his country’s views and demands. “Serbia has a different view of Kosovo which is why we have a lot of other problems…. We will do everything to head towards a compromise solution,” he said.

Vucic recalled that Serbia was under sanctions for a whole decade which is why official Belgrade has a different attitude towards sanctions. “We understood Germany’s message,” he said and added that there is no doubt that Serbia chose to be on the path to Europe. “The Serbian leadership will support that path,” Vucic said.

Scholz told the media that Germany supports Serbia’s European Union accession process. He said that the key issue discussed at his meeting with Vucic was the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. “That dialogue is of huge importance both to the peace and stability of southeastern Europe and the integration of both countries,” he said. He added that every issue should be resolved in dialogue and that all accepted obligations must be fulfilled. “That requires courage and determination … unilateral moves are not beneficial,” he said.

According to Scholz, the German government confirms the accession of the six Western Balkans countries to the EU. “Germany supports Serbia’s accession process with expertise and project financing,” he said. Scholz said that candidate countries have to defend common values in hard times, adding that it’s important for everyone to send the same message and not accept the war being waged by Russia against Ukraine. Scholz said that it’s very important that the EU has noted the fact that Serbia very clearly supported the EU stand on the war in Ukraine in the UN General Assembly.

“Serbia is on the EU path and it’s important for it to be consistent in implementing reforms and achieve progress in rule of law, freedom of the media and the fight against corruption and organized crime,” he said. Scholz said he would visit Serbia soon.