Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace late on Thursday, saying the three-hour talks covered Serbia’s EU accession process, defence ties, key bilateral agreements and the geopolitical situation.
Vucic said he expected France to remain “a sincere ally and friend” and expressed confidence that Serbia could make progress on its path to the European Union in the coming year. “Much depends on us, but I believe we will have support,” he told reporters after the meeting.
He said Serbia and France would surpass €2 billion in bilateral trade this year for the first time. The leaders also discussed artificial intelligence, with Serbia planning to buy what Vucic described as the most advanced supercomputer in Southeast Europe.
Vucic said Serbia aimed to sign a contract by Dec. 15 with France’s Alstom to build the first line of the Belgrade metro. Talks also covered military cooperation, including the assembly of Airbus helicopters in Serbia and possible purchases, as well as Mistral systems and Rafale missiles.
The discussions took place on the anniversary of the 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris. Vucic said the pair also examined global security issues, including Russia’s war in Ukraine, and ways “to reach peace.”
Vucic dismissed domestic criticism over plans involving Serbia’s General Staff building, saying the project involved a long-term lease rather than a sale, and would bring major investment into construction. “Nothing is being sold,” he said.
He said Serbia had already invested €30 million in preliminary studies for future nuclear energy projects, describing nuclear power as “the cleanest energy” and the only viable long-term solution. “In 15 years we will not even have coal,” he said.
Vucic also briefed Macron on the situation surrounding Serbia’s oil company NIS, saying a Serbian delegation would meet U.S. officials on Friday. “I hope we will know more tomorrow,” he said.
He added that Macron may visit Belgrade soon. “It is possible we will see him in Belgrade very soon,” Vucic said, calling the meeting “a very good and excellent conversation.”
Earlier in the evening, Macron hosted a formal welcome ceremony for Vucic before their working dinner at the Elysee.