Vucevic speaks about NIS: Decision is out of Serbia's hands, February is deadline for solving ownership issue

The leader of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and presidential adviser Milos Vucevic stated today that the NIS (Petroleum Industry of Serbia) issue does not depend on Serbia, but added he hopes a solution would be found jointly.

Recommended

"It's not good news about NIS, but to be clear, that issue does not depend on us. The decision-making process and the reasons for that decision (US sanctions against NIS) do not depend on Serbia. We neither started the war in Ukraine nor can we influence global energy policies, we only suffer the consequences of a global conflict. What is clear is that the Americans insist that there must be no Russian capital in NIS. Since October 9, when the sanctions were introduced, citizens in Serbia have not felt the consequences. The deadline to resolve the ownership structure is February. I hope we will find a solution together. It is not fair for Serbia to suffer for acting in a fair manner. We all make mistakes, but we have been fair toward the Russians and the Russian Federation," he said.

Referring to the anti-government protests, Vucevic said that what is currently happening in Serbia is usurpation and occupation of a part of the state by a part of the judicial system.

"They set themselves up as a special caste, they pick from among themselves, they decide for all of us. They are ready to cancel the electoral will of the citizens, as is the case in Zajecar. They do not allow the assembly of a city to be constituted. The absence of the elementary sense of responsibility among the people who should be the pillar of the state. But it happens everywhere in the world. Countries are managed through courts and judiciary, without participating in elections. I don't think we should spoil the achievements we have reached. But some things have to change. (Should) someone shoot or beat someone, what needs to happen next to wake up. They wanted to burn us (SNS premises). You have to share some things with the people without pretending. In our country, all of this was being prepared for a long time, especially this after the tragedy (Novi Sad railway station collapse)," said Vucevic.

"I do not think that these are the purges, but normal things in a sector," he continued. "To replace people. You have changes in other systems too but there is no fuss about it. It's natural to change the management, to give a chance to younger people, in order for a decision-maker who has held a position for a long time not to lose touch with reality. I support all changes that bring new energy and knowledge."

"No one humiliates themselves like Boris Tadic"

"No one humiliates themselves like Boris Tadic," the SNS leader said of the former Serbian president, now an opposition figure.

"Twice elected as president, he (now) allows himself to behave like this, he is debasing himself. (He should be) someone who is on the side of Serbia, instead of on one or another political side. He is making statements that even the 'blockaders' (anti-governmen protesters) find obscure. He is disgracing himself," Vucevic said.

(Telegraf.rs)