Croatian President Zoran Milanović has cancelled the meeting of the heads of state of the Brdo-Brijuni Process due to statements and actions by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, which he assessed as contrary to the goals of the initiative and a threat to peace and stability in Southeast Europe.
A statement from the President’s Office stated that Vučić’s behavior in recent days and weeks is disrupting interstate relations, and that in such circumstances there are no conditions for his arrival in Croatia.
Reasons for and postponement of the summit
The meeting was supposed to be held in May on the Brijuni Islands, but Milanović decided to cancel it, which was also notified to the other participants.
A new date will be set when the conditions are met, after consultations with Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar, who is the co-chair of the Brdo-Brijuni Process.
Vučić had previously accused Croatia of “savagery” after Serbian historian Miloš Ković was banned from entering, and announced a diplomatic protest.
He has also repeatedly claimed that Croatia, together with Albania and Kosovo, is forming a military alliance directed against Serbia, which further raises political tensions in the region.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said he supports Croatian President Zoran Milanović’s decision to cancel the Brdo-Brijuni Process summit, stating that “he has no place there”.
He added that he believes the decision was expected in the current political circumstances.
The Croatian president had previously canceled a meeting of heads of state within the Brdo-Brijuni Process, citing statements and actions by Vučić that, as he stated, were contrary to the goals of the initiative and threatened regional stability.
Vučić previously accused Croatia of “savagery” for banning Serbian historian Miloš Ković from entering the country and announced a diplomatic protest. He has also repeatedly claimed that Croatia, along with Albania and Kosovo, is forming a military alliance against Serbia.
On the other hand, Croatian officials have repeatedly labeled Serbia as a security problem, particularly due to its acquisition of advanced military systems from China.
At the same time, accusations are coming from Belgrade that Croatia is participating in inciting anti-government protests in Serbia, which is further deepening political disagreements between the two countries.
