Dacic: The Serbs in Kosovo live in a permanent state of danger; we will not recognize independence either explicitly or implicitly

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Ivica Dacic, stated today that the issue of Kosovo was of the highest national and state interest for Serbia, emphasizing that the Serbs in Kosovo lived in a permanent state of danger. He reiterated once again that Serbia would not recognize the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo either explicitly or implicitly.

Speaking at the New Year's reception for diplomats at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Belgrade, Dacic assessed that the situation in Kosovo was extremely difficult and complex.

"The issue of Kosovo and Metohija is of the highest national and state significance for us. Unfortunately, the situation in our southern province is extremely difficult and complex. The Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija live in a permanent state of danger, tension, and uncertainty, deprived of basic human rights and in constant fear for their lives", Dacic said.

In addition to the fact that the return to Kosovo has not been enabled for more than 200,000 internally displaced persons, as Dacic noted, it was additionally concerning that in the past year alone, 13% of Serbs had left Kosovo due to the continuous terror and pressure exerted by Pristina on the Serbian population.

"Therefore, it is crucial for us to unconditionally ensure the survival and security of the Serbian community in Kosovo and Metohija, which is why we remain a constructive factor in the dialogue, even though Pristina has persistently refused to fulfill its long-standing obligations for more than a decade", the head of Serbian diplomacy stated.

Dacic emphasized that Serbia would not recognize the independence of Kosovo nor Kosovo's membership in the United Nations.

"Once again, I will repeat - we will not recognize the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo, either explicitly or implicitly, nor will we allow our southern province to become a member of the UN. Serbia has the same right as any other country in the world to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity", he emphasized.

The head of Serbian diplomacy added that for these reasons, Serbia would continue to insist on the consistent respect for international law and the legally binding UN Security Council Resolution 1244.