Serbia: EU 'bias' hobbling Russian COVID-19 vaccine recognition - Lavrov

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the European Union was biased in its recognition of Russian vaccines against the coronavirus COVID-19 during a press conference following talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade on Sunday.

“With regard to mutual recognition of vaccination certificates, we have been in talks with the European Union for quite some time. [...] We also see a biased attitude towards Russian vaccines for political reasons. Nevertheless, we see the interest in most European Union countries that we should ensure the most comfortable conditions for people-to-people contact. And, hopefully, common sense will prevail,” Lavrov said.

Additionally, the minister communicated Russia’s position on the conflict in Kosovo, stressing that the country “has consistently advocated that a solution to this situation should be based solely on respect and resolution 12.44.” Lavrov added that “we will accept any solution that is acceptable to Serbia and the Serbian people.”

The foreign minister also stressed that the EU needs to start “to implement those agreements” on the situation in Kosovo, and called on the US to “use their influence”.

“The European Union does not give Kosovars any credit for condoning attempts to obscure this crucial decision, crucial for the Serbian population of Kosovo. And, of course, we also assume that our American partners will use their influence - and they have very significant influence - on Pristina to ensure that the negotiation process goes smoothly,” Lavrov said.

For his part, Aleksandar Vucic spoke about gas cooperation with Russia and listed five reasons for the energy crisis in EU countries, among which the president named carbon duties, the coronavirus and the refusal of European countries to sign long-term contracts with Russia because of political motives.

“The crisis is much bigger than you think. It is a heavier crisis. Not only food prices will go up, but also the prices of all building materials, everything will go up in price all over Europe, everywhere! Luckily, we had the courage to build this pipeline. If we had not done that with the Russian side, what would we have done then? We would have taken a rope and hung ourselves in front of you! What else?” concluded Vucic.

The Russian vaccine against the coronavirus, Sputnik V, has not yet been approved by the European Medicines Agency for use in the EU. The position of the European Commission has not changed since early June, when the EU system of vaccine certificates was launched. It implies that EU Member States already using Sputnik V are entitled to issue European Digital Vaccination Certificates for it. However, it is up to the remaining EU countries to decide whether or not to accept these documents.

Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on 2 October that the obstacles to the recognition of the Russian vaccine Sputnik V at the World Health Organization had been removed. This, he said, had been confirmed by the WHO Director-General. The Russian authorities expect the organisation to recommend the Russian vaccine for emergency use amid the pandemic.

SOUNDBITES:

SOT, Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister (Russian): “The ‘Kosovo problem’ - Russia has consistently advocated that a solution to this situation should be based solely on respect and Resolution 12.44. [We believe] that this solution should be found through direct dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. And that this solution, the final solution, be submitted to the UN Security Council for approval. President Putin has repeatedly stressed - and this remains our firm position - that we will accept any solution that is acceptable to Serbia and the Serbian people.” *NO CUTAWAYS AT SOURCE*

SOT, Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister (Russian): “We are reminded of Brussels’ responsibility for those mediation functions that were initiated by Brussels itself. And it is time for the EU to implement those agreements that were reached many years ago by a decision of the UN General Assembly. In particular, the agreement on the creation of a community of Serbian municipalities in Kosovo, which was agreed formally, specifically back in 2013. The European Union does not give Kosovars any credit for condoning attempts to obscure this crucial decision, crucial for the Serbian population of Kosovo. And, of course, we also assume that our American partners will use their influence - and they have very significant influence - on Pristina to ensure that the negotiation process goes smoothly. And to come to agreements that will comply with resolution 12.44 and satisfy our Serbian friends.” *NO CUTAWAYS AT SOURCE*

#Lavrov #Vucic #Serbia #Russia

Video ID: 20211010-043

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