Kacer: Slovakia respects the territorial integrity of Serbia, Belgrade is important for the European future of the region

The Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Rastislav Kacer, said that his country supported Serbia on the path to EU membership and at the same time respected its territorial integrity and sovereignty, and expressed his belief that the European path chosen by Serbia was its only constructive future, Politika reports.

The Slovak Republic recently celebrated 30 years since its creation, and when asked how he saw Slovakia today, after three decades of its independent journey, and in what way the Slovak story could be inspiring for Serbia, Kacer said in an interview for Tanjug that the first steps of the independent republics had been at times uncertain, without saying that they had also fought for the character of the state at the same time.

"We succeeded in that, and gradually Slovakia stood on its own feet and stepped in the direction of the developed world. The international community accepted us, we quickly became members of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, and the World Bank. Slovakia began to actively participate in the creation of an international order based on rules. Thanks to the tireless work of diplomacy, Slovakia managed to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union in 2004, and they are the best guarantee of security, stability, and prosperity for citizens. I am convinced that the European path chosen by Serbia is its only constructive future. Slovakia supports Serbia on its path to EU membership and at the same time respects its territorial integrity and sovereignty," the minister pointed out.

When asked whether Slovakia was under pressure because of its official position in relation to Kosovo and whether it supported the signing of a Franco-German or European proposal on the solution of the Kosovo issue, which should be in the form of a "framework agreement" between Belgrade and Pristina, Kacer said that Slovakia was a long-term supporter of the policy of enlargement and the process of European integration and that the future membership of the countries of the Western Balkans in the EU was in the interest of both the region and the EU.

"It is difficult to imagine a positive European future for the region without the significant role of Belgrade. We see Serbia as a key country for stability and security in the region, and we expect its responsible approach, which will contribute to intensive development in the Balkans. But Serbia also needs Europe. It needs it in order to maintain and additionally strengthen the connection with economic, scientific-research and educational, social, cultural, and other sources and impulses irreplaceable from the point of view of its development and prosperity. From this point of view, the European path has no real alternative. The only truly successful Serbia is the European one, which contributes to stability, and the strengthening of Schengen; which takes clear steps to join the measures against the aggressor regime in Moscow, and will stand side by side with other EU member states in the fight for the truth and against the spread of disinformation," Kacer pointed out.

According to Kacer, achieving concrete progress in the dialogue on the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina was essential both for strengthening stability in Europe and for Serbia's progress on the European path.

"Now more than ever, it is important for political leaders in both Belgrade and Pristina to consider which of the paths gives people hope for a better tomorrow. Therefore, both parties should equally contribute to finding solutions that lead to the regulation of relations. In this sense, the EU's special envoy for dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, Miroslav Lajcak, has our full support. The constructive dialogue and agreement that I believe will result from it should reflect the values and standards of the EU, which is crucial for both sides in their progress on the European path," the minister said.

When asked if there was a possibility that after signing this agreement his country would recognize the independence of Kosovo, the minister says that the position of the Slovak Republic is clear and based on the principles of international law.

"It derives from the Declaration of the National Assembly of the Slovak Republic from 2007, which allows - more precisely - opens the possibility of reconsidering the position in case of reaching an agreement between Belgrade and Pristina on the normalization of relations. But that is now secondary from the point of view of the current situation and the protection of Serbian interests," Kacer said.

He assessed that what was really important today was that a broad and encouraging discussion was held in Serbia about the process and possible results of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

"Many opinions and viewpoints can be heard, which is normal from the point of view of a democratic discussion, especially on such a fundamental social issue. At this crucial moment for Serbia, we want to emphasize that the discussion about Kosovo is not only about Kosovo. The attitudes and decisions that will emerge from it will largely determine the further direction of Serbia in the country and abroad, and therefore the potential to influence the success of its European integration ambitions," the minister assessed.

He pointed out that in many key historical moments, the connection between the Slovaks and the Serbs had been a valuable support for both nations.

"Our alliance has been going on since the period of national revival in Hungary in the 19th century. Slovakia stands by Serbia even today, when you are at an important crossroads of your own political history. We know that the Serbs knew how to close themselves off in difficult times and make difficult but rational decisions. I have no doubt that it will be like that this time as well," Kacer concluded.