Vučić after the meeting with the President of Israel: We have one important common topic

At the very beginning, President of Serbia said that Serbia and Israel have established very good relations.

"Dear Mr. President, respected friend Mr. Herzog. It is a special honor for me to be able to host you in Belgrade today and I hope that you will feel at home today. The relationship you have with someone can always be tested in difficult moments. The Serbian people were always with the Jewish people, during the most difficult years of the Second World War, as well as before, but even today, when it seems to me that it is not at all simple," said Vučić.

He pointed out that there are no outpourings of anti-Semitism in Belgrade and Serbia.

"And your athletes play here on their home field, they feel at home. Today we talked about all the important issues, about mutual cooperation, and what we agreed upon, and you will see later the signing of several agreements, is of great importance to us free trade agreement with Israel," said Vučić.

He said that we have a huge space for cooperation in networking innovation ecosystems and scientific and technological cooperation, as well as in economic cooperation.

Vučić also pointed out that a large number of Israeli tourists are in Serbia, and thanked the President of Israel for the support that Serbia has for EXPO 2027.

"At the same time, I informed him about everything that is happening in Kosovo and Metohija. I would not drag other people into what our relationship is with the situation in our country. But that was also a topic, of course," said Vučić.

On situation on Kosovo and Metohija

"At the same time, I informed President Herzog about what is happening in Kosovo and Metohija and spoke about the need to respect international public law and the UN Charter, and I would not continue to drag other people into what our relationship is with the situation in our country and region. We talked about it just as President Herzog introduced me to the situation in Israel and the Middle East, and I listened to him very carefully."

An important common theme

TANJUG/ VLADIMIR ŠPORČIĆ

He adds that they have one important common theme, which is the attempt to save the life of Alon Ohel,  a dual Israeli/Serbian citizen, who was kidnapped by Hamas.

"I begged our Arab friends to get involved, I also talked to his parents. It is very difficult. His mother is also with us, and she is begging for help to save such a valuable life," said Vučić.

Resolution on Srebrenica

President especially thanked the President of Israel that the Jewish state did not support the Resolution on the genocide in Srebrenica.

Herzog thanked Vučić

President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, thanked the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, for what he said was a very emotional speech.

"I especially thank you because you mentioned the hostages held by Hamas, among them young Alon Ohel. And his mother is here, I invite her to take a picture with us and a photo of her son," he said.

TANJUG/ VLADIMIR ŠPORČIĆ

 

He added that he condemns the terrorist attacks that were carried out this morning, and added that his heart goes out to the fighters who died last night in the helicopter crash in Gaza.

 

"We feel at home in your country," Herzog said, adding that the Jewish people are going through difficult times.

 

Also, the President of Israel recalled the large number of Serbs who gave their lives in the fight against the Nazis and in saving Jews during the Second World War.

• President of Israel in Serbia, hosted by Vučić: Ceremonial welcome in front of the Palace of Serbia