Macut: Defending Kosovo and Metohija will be the key challenge for the new Serbian Government

One of the greatest challenges facing the new government will be the preservation of Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in Kosovo and Metohija, Djuro Macut, candidate for Prime Minister of Serbia, said, emphasizing that “preserving our southern province as part of Serbia is not only a constitutional obligation, but also our solemn pledge, from which no government will or must stray.”

Macut warned that “the sponsors of the false state of ‘Kosovo’ are taking full advantage of the wounds inflicted on Serbia in recent months” in order to strengthen efforts aimed at promoting “the unilateral agendas of the provisional self-government institutions in Pristina.”

For this reason, he stated, “it is of utmost importance that we unite and come together in the defense of Kosovo and Metohija,” as this, in his view, is “the lowest common denominator around which we must reach consensus on the political and social stage.”

“One of the biggest challenges for the new government will undoubtedly be the defense of our sovereignty and territorial integrity in Kosovo and Metohija. Preserving our southern province as part of Serbia is both our constitutional duty and our vow, which no government will or must abandon.”

Macut emphasized that the Serbian Government will continue to make maximum efforts to ensure that Serbs in Kosovo “survive and remain on their ancestral land,” with full protection and the ability to live “a normal and dignified life.” According to him, the special aid measures will not be abolished.

“We will not abandon the special measures introduced to ensure that all our citizens in the province regularly receive salaries and pensions and exercise their rights, especially in education, social assistance, and healthcare,” he stated.

Macut called the victory of the Serb List in the recent elections in Kosovo “a feat achieved under impossible conditions” and described it as “the foundation for the renewal of the Serbian people's political strength in Kosovo and Metohija.”

“The Serb List's victory in the elections for the assembly of the provisional institutions in Pristina is a feat achieved under impossible conditions and a foundation for the renewal of our people’s political strength in Kosovo and Metohija. This success demonstrates the readiness of Serbs for unwavering political struggle, and the government will support them in that fight so they can achieve everything guaranteed to them under international law, especially the Brussels Agreement, whose full implementation we will continuously advocate for everywhere,” Macut said.

Macut also added that Serbia will continue to be a constructive actor but will not agree to any solutions that are not in accordance with the Constitution and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244.

Speaking about international challenges, Macut stressed that Serbia will not neglect its efforts on the global stage:

“We will not neglect the international arena, especially the United Nations, but also all international organizations such as the Council of Europe, Interpol, and others, where the danger constantly lurks that Pristina might try to unilaterally achieve its goals through legal force and under the sponsorship of powerful actors.”

Macut also pointed to changes in the global order, expressing confidence that there is room for a new phase of international understanding:

“The changes we are witnessing in major global centers of political power give us reason to hope that the approach to the issue of Kosovo and Metohija, the rights of our people in the province, and the interests of the Republic of Serbia may shift at least slightly for the better.”

Macut emphasized that Serbia remains consistent:

“We believe that the consistency, principled approach, and constructiveness that our country, its negotiating team, and its president have demonstrated and proven over the years will start to be recognized in a way that improves conditions for the lives of Serbs and other citizens loyal to Serbia.”

Foreign policy is not a dialogue skill; it is a reflection of our internal strength

“Serbia remains committed to European integration and strengthening regional cooperation,” Djuro Macut stated, emphasizing that the country’s future is inextricably linked to active participation in modern European trends.

Speaking about foreign policy priorities, Macut stressed that “continuing accession to the EU single market, implementing a regional market, integration within SEPA, and improving customs and tax cooperation are key elements of the new model of the European Union.”