Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic noted that he had asked Chinese Ambassador to Belgrade Chen Bo for a meeting on Wednesday to inform her of the situation in Kosovo-Metohija ahead of a Brussels meeting as part of the EU-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

Vucic said Serbia remained committed to dialogue as the only way of finding a solution to the Kosovo-Metohija issue, and that it requested that Pristina fulfil agreements, the presidential press office said in a statement.

“For nine years, they have had no intention whatsoever of forming a Community of Serb Municipalities. We expect the EU and Western partners to influence Pristina to meet its commitments in a serious and responsible manner, like Serbia has done,” Vucic said, noting that Serbia would not recognise the unilaterally declared independence of the so-called Kosovo.

Chen noted that China respected the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia and was an advocate of finding a solution through dialogue and in line with UN SC Resolution 1244.

“China understands and supports all legitimate demands of the Serbian side, including those regarding protection of the legal rights of Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija,” she said.

Vucic noted that Serbia would always support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China.

“We believe that is the only policy that is in line with international legal norms. Everything else creates global problems, instability and turmoil that no one needs,” Vucic said.

Vucic and Chen also discussed ongoing and planned Sino-Serbian projects.

No one in Serbia will forget Chinese President Xi Jinping’s friendly assistance regarding the Smederevo steel mill, Vucic said