site.btaVucic Declines Putin's Invitation to BRICS Forum

Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic said Thursday that ten days ago he received an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin to join the summit of the BRICS group of emerging economies, which is taking place from October 22 to 24 in the Russian city of Kazan, but said that he would be meeting important guests from abroad then, the Serbian edition of En1 television reported.

"We have very important visits (...) I thank the BRICS people for the invitation and President Putin," Vucic told reporters.

He added that he had meetings planned in New York with at least six presidents and at least seven or eight prime ministers on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session later this month.

Vucic recalled that on October 20 Belgrade celebrates 80 years since its liberation in World War II, adding that many events are planned for the occasion.

"Do not forget that the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belgrade is on October 20 and it was the Red Army that, with the help of our troops, liberated Belgrade and brought freedom to our country together with Russia and all others who participated in the liberation," Vucic said.

The Serbian president also said that a decision on compulsory military service in Serbia is expected to be made within 20 days.

"Expect our decision in the next 20 days. This will be seen during the budget debates, when the update passes. Everything will become clear October 1 to 10," Vucic added during his visit to the Drina River region in western Serbia.