(29 Aug 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Belgrade, Serbia – 29 August 2024
1. Tracking shot of Emanuel Macron, France’s President, and Aleksandar Vucic, President of Serbia, as they arrive at press conference
2. Various of Macron and Vucic at news conference
3. Macron and Vucic observing exchange of signed contracts by members of French and Serbian delegations
4. SOUNDBITE (French) Emmanuel Macron, President of France:
“We can consolidate this strategic autonomy together, to strengthen our security. It is not exclusive to the EU, but within the European political community, and also with the countries who want to join the EU. This is why Serbia’s choice of Rafale fighter aircraft was a clear choice that represents a long-term alliance between our two countries, within a stronger, more sovereign Europe. This choice is part of our strategic autonomy and making it stronger.”
5. Macron and Vucic at news conference
6. SOUNDBITE (Serbian) Aleksandar Vucic, President of Serbia:
“For us this is big news, the purchase of the Rafales, and you’ll see, we’ll be very open with you. The contract was signed to include the complete logistical package including spare engines and other things. The contract is worth 2.7 billion euros. Twelve completely new aircraft will be owned by the Republic of Serbia. This for us is huge news.”
7. Tracking shot of Macron and Vucic as they leave news conference
STORYLINE:
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday announced a $3 billion deal to buy 12 French warplanes, in a move that shifts his country away from its dependence on Russian arms.
The announcement about the Rafale multi-purpose fighter jets was made during a joint news conference in Belgrade with French President Emmanuel Macron, who was on a two-day visit to Serbia.
“We can consolidate this strategic autonomy together, to strengthen our security," Macron said at the joint press conference held with Vucic. "It is not exclusive to the EU, but within the European political community, and also with the countries who want to join the EU. This is why Serbias choice of Rafale fighter aircraft was a clear choice that represents a long-term alliance between our two countries, within a stronger, more sovereign Europe.”
Vucic described the purchase of the jets as "huge news".
An official in Macron’s office, who was not authorized to be identified according to French presidential policy, said the warplane deal was part of a larger strategy of ″bringing Serbia closer to the EU.″ Serbia needs to upgrade its fleet and the Rafale is a ″strategic choice″ for Belgrade, which could choose to rely only on Russian equipment instead, the official said.
Serbia had been considering the purchase of the new Rafale jets for more than two years, since neighboring Balkan rival Croatia purchased 12 used fighter jets of the same type for about 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion).
The acquisition allows Serbia to modernize its air force, which consists mainly of Soviet-made MiG-29 fighters and aging Yugoslav combat aircraft.
Russia has been a traditional supplier of military aircraft, including combat helicopters, to Serbia, which has refused to join international sanctions against Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.
Selling Rafales to Russian ally Serbia, which has occasionally expressed an aggressive stance toward its Balkan neighbors, has raised some concerns, one of which is how France plans to prevent sophisticated Rafale technology from being shared with Russia.
AP Video shot by Marko Drobnjakovic
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