Serbia's President Sees Europe as 'Necessary Evil'

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin (not pictured) in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, March 10, 2016. EPA/BGNES

Serbian head of state Tomislav Nikolic has described Europe as "a necessary evil" in an interview with Serbian-language Sputniknews.

He has asserted that it is impossible to govern the country without cooperation with both Russia and the EU.

"There are no eurofanatics in Serbia... there might be Russophiles indeed, but true eurofanatics - no," he has explained.

"Because to everyone of us is clear that Europe is a necessary evil- that we are in Europe, that we are surrounded by the European union, that since World War Two Europe has meddled in Serbia's affairs, that many of our people work in Western Europe, they come from there telling stories of the way of life, of development and security, laws and the judicial system," according to Nikolic.

"Europe knows we are not breaking our relations with Russia and backtracking when we say we will not introduce sanctions. [The EU] did not insist on it," the President has said, adding his country would work on all conditions set by the EU, but would never recognize the independence of Kosovo.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!