Visit to Belgrade
Pistorius warns Serbian President Vucic of an “escalation spiral” in the Balkans
“Very productive, open exchange”: Boris Pistorius at the press conference in Belgrade about his conversation with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic
© Sören Stache / DPA
Boris Pistorius concluded his Balkan trip with a visit to the Serbian capital Belgrade. The defense minister demanded support from Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in reducing tensions.
After the conversation, Pistorius spoke of a “very fruitful, open exchange,” which also discussed the situation in Bosnia and the ongoing secessionist tendencies of the Bosnian Serbs. “We assume that Serbia does not support any secessionist moves, for example in the Republic of Srpska, but rather advocates for the stability of the region and for the integrity of the respective national territory,” he said.
Aleksandar Vucic: “Don’t surprise anyone with military measures”
The Serbian president said there were different views on Kosovo and other issues, but his country was interested in stability. “Serbia will not surprise anyone with military measures,” he said. “My word is worth more than any signature.” At the same time, Vucic made it clear that he would not allow anything to be imposed on him, not even from Washington, Berlin or Moscow.
Hours earlier, in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo, Pistorius had spoken out in favor of ramping up military security for peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina if necessary. During a visit to Sarajevo by the EU mission Eufor Althea, he reiterated the Allies’ determination to preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The Bundeswehr has stationed around 30 men and women in Bosnia
“In Serbia and in the Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russia repeatedly finds breeding ground for its attempts to destabilize the region and expand its own influence, for example through disinformation campaigns and influencing the media,” warned Pistorius. “The resulting tensions in the Western Balkans require us to continue and, if necessary, intensify our stabilization measures in consultation with our local partners.” He speaks from the perspective of NATO and the EU.
The Bundeswehr has stationed around 30 men and women in Bosnia – with the aim of contributing to stabilization. Eufor Althea’s central task is to support the Dayton Peace Agreement, which ended the Bosnian war in 1995. However, the country remains a possible source of conflict. The soldiers contribute to an information picture through patrols, contact with the population and institutions and their own situation reports. Pistorius had visited the Kosovo capital Pristina the day before.