Serbia is not a platform for circumventing Western sanctions against Russia, Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić said at a meeting with the International Special Envoy for the Implementation of European Union Sanctions, David O’Sullivan.
O’Sullivan spoke to the Serbian president and prime minister, focusing predominantly on the position of Serbia regarding Western sanctions on Russia. Serbia has failed to implement the majority of these sanctions and has yet to align itself with EU foreign policy vis a-vis Russia, much to the disappointment of Brussels.
Speaking about the EU’s Russia sanctions, Brnabić emphasised that Serbia is not, and will not be, a platform for circumventing them.
“When it comes to the war in Ukraine, Serbia is not value-neutral, and we have decided on the violation of the territorial integrity of Ukraine,” added Brnabić at a meeting attended by the head of the European Union Delegation in Serbia, Emanuele Giaufret.
The prime minister pointed out that Serbia is a credible and reliable partner, and O’Sullivan exchanged opinions with Brnabić on concrete steps that should be implemented with third countries to prevent the circumvention of sanctions and thanked her for an open and constructive attitude and readiness for further cooperation.
O’Sullivan later met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.
While respecting the obligations arising from the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and the Negotiating Framework, Serbia is committed to cooperation with the European Union in foreign, security and defence policy, the president said.
Vučić pointed out that when considering any decision on the possible introduction of measures against any country, Serbia is guided exclusively by international law and the protection of its national, state, political and economic interests.
(EURACTIV.rs | Bojana Zimonjić Jelisavac)
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