Dacic: Vucic's approach to the Kosovo issue is the only rational and statesmanlike one; unity is needed

The Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia and Minister of Internal Affairs, Ivica Dacic, stated today that the approach of President Aleksandar Vucic, who outlined Serbia's moves and demands regarding the situation in Kosovo, is the only rational and statesmanlike one, and he stressed that the country needs national unity in the fight for its national interests.

Dacic, who concluded his multi-day visit to China with a stop in Hong Kong, emphasized that the Serbian people in Kosovo, as well as the whole of Serbia, are going through a difficult period.

"I want to express my full support for the positions and approach highlighted by President Vucic in his address. That is the only rational and statesmanlike approach to the issues and problems that exist in Kosovo and Metohija. Under such conditions, it is crucial to have national unity and political stability," Dacic noted.

As he added, Serbia is strong only if it is stable, but if it is unstable and divided, it is weak. This, he said, is the goal of some external, international factors, who are working through opposition political parties that pursue anti-state and anti-Serbian policies.

"It is the responsibility of all accountable individuals and parties to be part of national unity and political stability. That is why I support the policy of Aleksandar Vucic in defending national and state interests," Dacic said.

Summing up his visit to China, he remarked that it had been highly successful, noting that in all discussions, the strategic partnership and "ironclad friendship" between the two countries had been highlighted, based, among other things, on the excellent personal relationship between the two presidents, Vucic and Xi.

In this regard, Dacic stressed the importance of mutual support on issues significant to both China and Serbia, such as territorial integrity – specifically, the "One China" policy and Serbia's territorial integrity.

"They are deeply grateful for our position, and we are equally grateful for their exceptionally positive stance and their significant support in the UN Security Council when it comes to the Kosovo and Metohija issue," Dacic underscored.

He conveyed that he had informed his Chinese interlocutors about the situation and the terror being inflicted on the Serbian people in Kosovo, as well as the disregard for all international agreements, which placed Serbia in a very difficult position, as it had trusted the international community to stand by its commitments.

"We need, and it is crucial, to have China's support in the United Nations, and we are certain that we will have it," Minister Dacic emphasized.

His visit began in Beijing with a meeting with the Chinese Minister of Public Security, after which he participated in the International Security Conference in Lianyungang, attended by about 30 ministers of internal affairs from around the world and the President of Interpol.

He also attended a joint exercise of the special police units of Serbia and China, which will be held in Serbia next year. Currently, joint police patrols from both countries are operating in China.

Dacic was also a guest of the Huawei company, and he concluded his visit with a trip to Hong Kong, marking the first time a Serbian political representative visited this special administrative region of China, opening, as the minister noted, new avenues for cooperation.

"The visit was extremely successful, aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations in the interest of both China and Serbia," Dacic concluded.