Dacic: We will invest all diplomatic efforts to calm the situation and continue the dialogue

The situation in Kosovo is very dramatic and confirms that Albin Kurti is the main factor of instability, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Ivica Dacic, said in an interview for Kosovo Online, emphasizing that the messages from the international community had been sharp, but what would follow was more important.

"The situation in Kosovo and Metohija is very dramatic and it is proving that we were right all these years when we said that Kurti is the main factor of instability, a powder keg that can ignite the entire region," Dacic said, pointing to a series of unilateral acts of terror against the Serbs, arrests, attempted murders, and killings, as well as the blockade of Serbian goods.

He emphasized that he had brought Albanian mayors to power in municipalities where no Albanians lived, and now there was a situation where they, instead of forming the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities, decided that these municipalities would enter the community of Albanian municipalities.

"You have daily incursions by armed groups from Pristina, which is contrary to the Brussels Agreement. Now there are attempts to ban the dinar in Kosovo and intrusion into Serbian institutions in Kosovo and Metohija. All this puts us in a dilemma about whether the international community should contribute to peace and stability, whether it has a role as envisaged by UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and the Brussels Agreement, or is it in the role of calming Belgrade so that Pristina can more easily achieve its goals," he explained.

Dacic emphasized that when it comes to the verbal statements of the international community, as were yesterday's from the EU and the US, it was important to follow what would happen next.

"Of course, these verbal statements, with more or less criticism of their tone and an attempt to accuse both sides, are quite harsh against Kurti's regime at the moment. However, whether it will be effective depends solely on whether Kurti will heed their criticisms. From past practice, we have examples that he absolutely does not react to any pressure coming from abroad because he believes he has the support of certain countries, primarily Germany, to do as he pleases," he added.

Dacic emphasized that this further complicated the situation, and that was why President Aleksandar Vucic stated that Serbia would request an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council and would send letters to all members of that world body and all EU member states to inform them about the situation and the unacceptable and impossible position of the Serbs in Kosovo.

"Serbia, led by the President, will invest every diplomatic effort to calm the situation in Kosovo and Metohija and continue the dialogue. We are committed to peace and dialogue, but we will certainly not allow the violation of the basic human rights of the Serbs in Kosovo," Dacic underscored.