Stocker in Serbia: Vučić does not seek a third term
Belgrade – Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić is not seeking a third term. He will end his career as president in a year, Vučić said during a visit from Austria’s Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) in mid-August in Belgrade. According to the constitution, he cannot run again, Vučić stated. “I am not a dictator” and would “never run for president of Serbia again,” he emphasized. Stocker signed an agreement in Belgrade on deepened economic cooperation.
The Chancellor also promised Austria’s participation in the Expo 2027 in the Serbian capital. According to Stocker, the agreement he signed with Serbian Prime Minister Đuro Macut also concerns cooperation in the areas of biomass, hydropower, wastewater, telecommunications, infrastructure, and transport logistics. Cooperation against illegal migration was also a topic of discussion.
Stocker assured Vučić of consistent support for Serbia’s EU accession perspective, with the Chancellor advocating for the opening of the next negotiation cluster 3 in the accession talks. Austria also wants to enable gradual integration before full membership, particularly in the areas of transport and energy, Stocker said. However, the same rules must apply to all EU accession candidates. The rule of law is a central value, as is the independence of the media and judiciary, as well as the recognition of court rulings, the Chancellor emphasized.
Stocker: Dialogue with Kosovo “is indispensable”
Stocker particularly urged Serbia to engage in dialogue with Kosovo to resolve the conflict with the former Serbian province, which has been independent since 2008. From the EU’s perspective, the Belgrade-Prishtina dialogue is indispensable if a solution is to be found, Stocker stated. He also could not offer a solution, “I do not have the philosopher’s stone,” Stocker said. Nevertheless, he sees a willingness for this dialogue after his discussions. Vučić also emphasized that Serbia wants to talk with Prishtina.
Vučić stressed that by recognizing Kosovo, Serbia has lost 14 percent of its territory. He lamented the unequal treatment of the West towards Serbia compared to Ukraine. “And then we are told: Don’t look to the past, but to the future.”
Vučić criticizes “violent protests”
In response to questions about the nationwide protests in Serbia following the collapse of a train station roof last November in Novi Sad, the Serbian president emphasized that there are “not so massive but quite violent protests.” Every previous gathering has been unlawful. He is proud that Serbia has not reacted violently to it.
Vučić also responded to statements made by Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić during Stocker’s visit to Podgorica on Tuesday. Spajić had stated that it would be in the national interest of his country for Serbia to join the EU and NATO as well. “We do not want to belong to any military bloc; we want to remain neutral,” said the Serbian president. He aims for “brotherly relations” with Montenegro. Regarding the EU accession talks, Vučić stated that he cannot guarantee that new chapters will be opened.
The Chancellor also met with ÖFB record team player Marko Arnautović at the Austrian embassy residence in Belgrade, who has recently been playing for the top club Red Star Belgrade. Austria is the third-largest investor in Serbia – according to Vučić, after China and the Netherlands – and one of the strongest advocates for EU membership for the Western Balkan countries. According to Stocker, around 800 Austrian companies are active in Serbia, providing 25,000 jobs. Austria and Serbia are connected not only by a shared history but also by human ties, Stocker emphasized. The Serbian diaspora is now an integral part of society in Austria. (14.08.2025)
