Antonijevic: Serbia's new Government's policy on Kosovo must focus on the rights of the Serbian community

Milan Antonijevic, Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, said the new authorities in Serbia are expected to pursue a clear policy on Kosovo, one that must primarily focus on the Serbian community, its rights, the protection of human rights, freedom of movement, property rights, and all the issues that Serbian governments have dealt with from the 1990s to the present day.

“We expect a clearer policy. There was none during the election campaign, probably to avoid diverting attention from the more important issues for the Student List. But now, given that this issue will also be on the table and that the new authorities will face various pressures similar to those faced by the previous government, they must provide clear answers. Institutions are there to help them, explain how these rights can be protected and identify the guidelines that should be followed,” Antonijevic told Kosovo Online.

He said he could not imagine any situation in which anyone would neglect the Serbs in Kosovo and their rights.

“Perhaps now is the time to revisit the issue of sustainable return, along with many other issues that have not been on the table. Of course, this also includes the Community of Serb Municipalities and everything that was signed in the Brussels agreements, so that we can finally have a clearer picture,” Antonijevic said.

As he added, it will not be easy for the authorities in Pristina to find themselves without someone on the other side against whom they can run negative campaigns.

“International media have welcomed the elections in Serbia, the democratic nature of the entire process and the winners themselves. So nothing will be the same anymore, but I do not believe this can or should in any way endanger our people in Kosovo and Metohija. They are protected by institutions in Serbia, and they will continue to be protected regardless of who is in power in Serbia,” our interlocutor said.

As for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, he believes the process will not be easy to get moving again.

“Even when Belgrade was highly constructive, it did not encounter a willingness to engage on the other side in Pristina. So I do not see this process being fully unblocked, as that is unfortunately not in the interests of Kosovo's society either. At the same time, considerable pressure is being exerted on the Serbian community, resulting in some of our fellow citizens deciding to leave Kosovo and Metohija. This practice must genuinely be stopped. We will see how strong Brussels and the United States will be in getting the dialogue moving again and bringing to the negotiating table those who signed numerous agreements, primarily the authorities in Pristina, but have still not implemented them,” Antonijevic said.