French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Belgrade last night for a two-day visit to Serbia, which was organized at the invitation of Aleksandar Vucicyoy.
Although it was anticipated that the visit would be significant, the most important document to be signed is the agreement for purchasing French Rafale fighter jets. Vučić and Macron announced at a press conference that an agreement has been reached, with Vučić adding that the negotiations were lengthy and difficult.
Serbia will acquire 12 powerful French fighter jets for which they will pay 2.7 billion euros (double what Croatia paid for the same number of jets!). However, the press conference also revealed that the message of the agreement was perceived differently by the two presidents.
Certainly, with this deal, France is securing a substantial amount of money, but Macron seems more interested in the message it sends to Serbia. “And this, undoubtedly, has been done diplomatically and with white gloves,” he said.
When asked by French journalists whether any guarantees were signed to ensure Serbia would not sell or transfer some of the technology (suspected to be Russian or Chinese), Macron said that guarantees are in place and he has confidence.
However, speaking about Serbia’s relations with Russia, Macron stated that the purchase of Rafale jets is a positive message. For Europe, not for Russia.
“It’s not just at the EU level, but within the European political community, and we are building all of this together with countries that wish to join the European Union. Therefore, the choice of Rafale jets is a clear choice that represents a will for a long-term alliance between our two countries within a strong and sovereign EU,” Macron said.
The same question was posed to Vucic: Is the purchase of French jets a turning point in Serbia’s relations with Russia? As usual, Vucic did not answer directly but presented himself again as a victim.
“I apologize to Emmanuel, but when these European media (and he was asked by Euronews) ask me, I have to explain in detail,” Vucic began, and then stated that he would not apologize to anyone for his relations with Russia.
“Now they are attacking me because I didn’t buy Russian or Chinese jets. So how could the Russians come first? How? Those who say this don’t think it through. We bought the best jets in the world to protect Serbia’s sky,” Vucic said, clearly irritated.
And of course, he did not provide any concrete response to the question.
That the Russians were not enthusiastic about either Macron’s visit or the jet purchase became apparent from the continuation of the press conference when journalists asked Macron how he interpreted Sputnik (Russian) reports, which harshly criticized his arrival in Belgrade.
“Well, that doesn’t surprise me at all. It is actually a compliment to me. I think it’s not a matter of the media but of propaganda managed by the Russian state,” Macron said with a smile. And Vučić, of course, had no comment on Sputnik’s reporting but used the opportunity to downplay the discomfort that the Russians had clearly prepared for the arrival of the important guest, saying that he too receives “compliments” just like Macron.
Just much more than him.
“Well, every day I receive hundreds of such compliments from the region and dozens from the world. Much more than Macron,” Vucic said.
