Croatia’s Milanovic cancels Brdo-Brijuni summit over Vucic’s statements

“The Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Slovenia, as members of the European Union, initiated the Brdo-Brijuni Process with the aim of enhancing mutual cooperation and accelerating the European integration process of the countries in Southeast Europe. The meeting of the heads of state of the Brdo-Brijuni Process was scheduled to be held in May this year in Croatia,” Index.hr reported.

“The political statements and actions of the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, in recent days and weeks are completely at odds with the aims of the Brdo-Brijuni Process, damage inter-state relations, and jeopardize peace and stability in Southeast Europe,” the statement said.

Milanovic concluded that, under such circumstances, the conditions for Vucic to visit Croatia do not exist.

“As co-chair of the Brdo-Brijuni Process, President Milanovic decided to cancel the planned meeting in Croatia, of which the heads of state who were supposed to participate in the meeting on the Brijuni Islands have been informed. The next meeting of the heads of state of the Brdo-Brijuni Process will be held when conditions permit, after consultations between President Milanovic and the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Natasa Pirc-Musar, as co-chair of the Brdo-Brijuni Process,” the Croatian President’s office said.

Vucic: It is much more important to me to lay flowers in Jasenovac

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Monday that he supports Croatian President Zoran Milanovic’s decision to call off the Brdo-Brijuni meeting.

Vucic said he does not belong at that meeting, and that it is more important to him “to go and lay flowers in Jasenovac.” (Jasenovac was a death camp complex in the WW 2 Independent State of Croatia where a large number of Serbs, Jews and Roma were tortured and killed.)

“He didn’t need to cancel the summit because of me; he could have invited his friends from Pristina and Tirana without me spoiling the idyllic atmosphere. I don’t know if he had a problem with my comments regarding the military alliance between Pristina, Tirana, and Zagreb, or with the fact that I said there are more missing Serbs than Croats - though I would like to see the issue resolved for both sides,” the Serbian state TV (RTS) quoted Vucic as saying.

He added that he understands the decision to cancel the meeting, describing it as an excellent idea.

“Once they are also ready to hear opinions they don't like, instead of only listening to those seeking to cozy up to Brussels, then that dialogue will be possible. Until then, we will endure their strikes regarding the incitement of a color revolution in Serbia, as well as their daily attacks and lies. They need not worry; Serbia will preserve the peace,” Vucic said.