Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said today that after the US action in Venezuela, it is clear that the international legal order and the United Nations Charter are not functioning.
The world is dominated by the law of force, the law of the stronger, and that is the only principle of modern politics that exists in the world today, Vučić told reporters in Belgrade, after a session of the National Security Council.
"We want friendship with the United States of America, but it is ours to say when there is a violation of international law," said the Serbian President, adding that the people of Venezuela stood by Serbia and that is why they want to recover and build their country.
Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was transferred to a New York prison on Saturday night after being captured by US authorities, who intend to "lead" a transition in Venezuela.
According to US media, Maduro arrived at New York airport and was then transferred by helicopter to a federal prison in Brooklyn.
The President of Serbia said that the reactions coming from the world about Venezuela do not mean much.
"Whether you express disagreement or agreement, the result is the same: the right of the stronger dominates in the world, and whoever is stronger oppresses. And that is the only principle of politics in the world today," Vučić assessed.
He added that "the best example of this is the reactions of European officials who have petty interests when it comes to Maduro, but at the same time are afraid of what will happen tomorrow with Greenland and European unity."
Vučić: Serbia is not currently threatened by a potential aggressor
Vučić stated that at the moment Serbia is not threatened by a potential aggressor, but that does not mean that there will not be one in a few months or a year.
After today's session of the National Security Council, he said that the body considered issues of regional military and political security with reference to the situation in Europe and the world, Serbia's energy security and safety, and US actions in Venezuela.
He said that one of the Council's conclusions was that, in the event of possible aggression, no one would help Serbia, but that it must rely on its own forces.
"You saw from what happened in Venezuela that we have to trust ourselves. That is one of the conclusions of the National Security Council. If someone from the region starts attacking us, no one will help us," Vučić said.
He added that the session assessed that the military alliance between Pristina, Tirana and Zagreb represents a "special threat" to the security of territorial integrity and sovereignty.
"We are particularly concerned about the further arming of Pristina, contrary to the UN Charter and Resolution 1244, which has been de facto suspended by major Western powers and certain major regional players such as Turkey. A particular threat to the security of our territorial integrity and sovereignty is the alliance of Pristina, Tirana and Zagreb, which is taking place on a wide scale and includes the joint development of complex combat systems. Serbia is closely monitoring this and is preparing for defense against those who openly threaten our country," Vučić said.
He called on the management of Gazprom and the Hungarians to complete the contract regarding NIS as soon as possible.
The President of Serbia has called on the management of the Russian company "Gazprom", which is the majority owner of "Naftna Industrija Srbije" (NIS), to complete the contract on the sale of its stake in that Serbian company to the Hungarians as soon as possible, in order to exit the US sanctions regime.
"It is now clear that they are negotiating with them (the Hungarians). I urge them to finalize the purchase agreement as soon as possible, so that we can exit the sanctions regime and Serbia can continue to grow," Vučić told reporters at the Presidency.
The media previously reported that Russia's Gazprom would sell its stake in NIS to the Hungarian oil company Mol.
Vučić said that Serbia will pay by January 5th, and that he expects the first 85.000 tons of oil to arrive by January 13th or 15th.
"The refinery will start operating on January 17th or 18th, which means they can blend oil and produce oil derivatives there from around January 25th or 26th," Vučić said.
He stated that Serbia is now filling its reserves and will have enough electricity, gas and oil derivatives, "despite all the problems."
Sanctions against NIS, he said, "still loom over Serbia", as well as sanctions against the Chinese company "Linglong" in Zrenjanin, which employs 1.300 and 1.400 people, adding that Serbia will deal with that as well.
Vučić also stated that US President Donald Trump has established an agency for US dominance in the global energy sector and that it works at the White House.
"Everywhere in the world, including here in Serbia, they will do their best to drive out competing countries, primarily China and Russia," Vučić said.
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