Tomislav Nikolić

Tomislav Nikolić (Serbian: Томислав Николић) (born 15 February 1952) is a Serbian former politician who served as the president of Serbia from 2012 to 2017. A former member of the far-right Serbian Radical Party (SRS), he disassociated himself from the party in 2008 and formed the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) which he led until 2012.

Quotes

 * You can be at the same time both nationalist and pro-European, but I know this is difficult to explain to you in Europe because Serbian nationalism was always presented as something negative. But I love my country just like you love your country, and [I love] my people like you love your people.
 * "Transcript of interview with Serbia president Tomislav Nikolic" in Financial Times (4 October 2013)


 * So under the pretext of fulfilling conditions for the European Union we are actually giving ourselves an opportunity to organise the country. I don’t want us to adopt laws [simply so they] will be approved by the European Union. I want them to be implemented, that they become part of everyday practice.
 * "Transcript of interview with Serbia president Tomislav Nikolic" in Financial Times (4 October 2013)


 * I am grateful to the citizens of Serbia for giving this chance to the government to do so much. But in foreign policy we will not change anything. We will do everything to be friends with all the countries in the world, both with those who have recognised and those who did not recognise the independence of Kosovo and Metohija, because we do understand that everyone leads their own country and people in the way they think is the best for their country and people.
 * "Transcript of interview with Serbia president Tomislav Nikolic" in Financial Times (4 October 2013)


 * I'm expecting Kosovo to declare independence. If they declare, we'll stop Kosovo Albanians coming to Serbia. We'll stop them traveling through Serbia. We won't recognize their passports ... we'll cut off the supply of goods to Kosovo.
 * "Interview with presidential front-runner Tomislav Nikolic" in Christian Science Monitor (18 January 2008)


 * The independence of Kosovo has no base in international law. We won't take diplomatic action against any country that supports and respects the UN Security Council.
 * "Interview with presidential front-runner Tomislav Nikolic" in Christian Science Monitor (18 January 2008)


 * For seven years, we have been under the influence of Western Europe. We have done all that was asked of us by the West. That was our mistake. But the EU also made a mistake. They should have given us full membership straight away. Now we have a situation where the Russian Federation is recovering very well, and the EU is depending on Russia for gas. I think Serbia should be the place where Russian and Western power is balanced....
 * "Interview with presidential front-runner Tomislav Nikolic" in Christian Science Monitor (18 January 2008)


 * The situation in the world is extremely complicated. And the position of Serbia is exclusively complicated. Sure, we were not able to follow it without the understanding from the Russian Federation regarding the efforts we have been undertaking in the attempts to keep the balance on the other side, too – in the West, by persuading them not to insist on breaking up relations with Russia, as this is not considered in the economic, or in political or in any other aspect.
 * "Tomislav Nikolic: Relations between Serbia and Russia are “exceptional” in TASS (2016)


 * We faced a dilemma regarding whether to be in a permanent conflict with the Albanians or to resolve this issue. We did not have too much power in our hands. We did have good arguments and justice on our side, but the international media supports the Albanians very openly. Over the years, our people were forced to leave Kosovo and if this was allowed to continue, we might wake up one day to find out that we have no more of our people there. That is why we have decided to raise the negotiations to the highest possible level and not to take off this territory that is Kosovo that is not fully under the power of Serbia anymore. In the same way we said to the Albanians there is no way to take Kosovo territory that is not under your power, and that is the northern part with the Serbian community. We ask for certain rights for this community. And now we are not waging war, we are negotiating.
 * "A president’s view" in The Jerusalem Post (2013)


 * Scientists agree that the average global temperature will rise a few degrees Celsius by the end of the 21st century. The severity of natural disasters will grow, as their frequency depends directly on the intensity of global warming. Not a single state, the size and economic growth notwithstanding, is immune to the whims of nature, which we "don't inherit from our ancestors, but borrow from our children."
 * "Speech by President of the Republic of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic at the Paris Agreement Signing Ceremony" (2016)


 * The consequences of climate change will only add to the tensions caused by stark inequalities across the world. In all fairness, imposing any limitations will have the strongest impact on the weakest - those who are yet to get their industry off the ground and improve the lives of their citizens. They need to be given an opportunity to grow.
 * "Speech by President of the Republic of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic at the Paris Agreement Signing Ceremony" (2016)


 * We, the politicians, have to offer full support to research on the one hand, and a harmonized, coordinated response to climate change and extreme weather on the other. It is our first and foremost duty to plan and adjust the activities of the state and society to every possible scenario, including the worst of all possible cases.
 * "Speech by President of the Republic of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic at the Paris Agreement Signing Ceremony" (2016)


 * Nature has never deceived itself, but we tend to be in denial. Let's be honest, if for no other reason, then for our children; let's build self-respect by respecting the planet we harmed so seriously, and the earth, much cleaner and healthier when given to us to take care of...
 * "Speech by President of the Republic of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic at the Paris Agreement Signing Ceremony" (2016)


 * I am encouraged that my son let me know that life has been returning to China, more cars can be seen along the streets, as people start going to work, although the control is still rigorous. I am confident that you will overcome this.
 * "Chinese economy will continue to grow: former Serbian president" in Xinhua (2020)


 * The success of the BRI lies in fully taking into consideration the political and cultural differences of various countries, and China will not collaborate with different countries in the same uniform mode. Instead, countries can negotiate with China from their own specific national condition.
 * "China's development benefits others" in China Daily (7 November 2019)


 * The consequences of corruption are not reflected solely in the impoverishment of society and the state, but in the drastic decline in the trust of citizens in democratic institutions. In addition, corruption creates uncertainty and instability in the economy and has a negative impact on the level of investments.
 * "Speech Made to the Council Of Europe Assembly" (3 October 2013)


 * After more than a year since my election to the office of the President of Serbia and the appointment of the new government, which has rightly been subject to recent reconstruction, I am pleased to confirm that Serbia has unambiguously demonstrated an adherence to European values. I am pleased to note that this commitment by my country has been recognized by our international partners. In other words, Serbia has become a responsible, sincere and reliable partner, endeavouring to perceive problems realistically and approach solutions in a constructive and effective way in the spirit of dialogue and tolerance. We take pride in the visible results that we have achieved, despite the numerous challenges that Serbia has faced in the past.
 * "Speech Made to the Council Of Europe Assembly" (3 October 2013)


 * Serbia is a step away from a great opportunity, which I assure you we will not miss. We will use all our capacities to make Serbia a European country in every respect, in accordance with the basic values of the Council of Europe – the protection of human rights, the rule of law and democracy. Serbia is firmly committed to continue to co-operate, and to promote its relations, with the Council of Europe to reach such goals for the benefit of its citizens. I trust that we can count on your support along those lines.
 * "Speech Made to the Council Of Europe Assembly" (3 October 2013)