Martinovic: We will not allow a new pogrom of Serbs in Kosovo

Minister of State Administration and Local Self-Government Aleksandar Martinovic stated that it was evident that Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti was trying to provoke a reaction from Serbia with his actions, thereby complicating its position in negotiations, however, Serbia would not allow a new pogrom of the Serbian people in Kosovo, as reported by RTV.

"We have proven that we are always ready for dialogue, and Serbia, led by President Aleksandar Vucic and the Serbian government, will persist in a policy of peace, stability, and civilized relations between Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo and Metohija," Martinovic said in an interview with Novosti, responding to whether there was a real danger that Pristina would carry out a new pogrom of Serbs in Kosovo after Kurti had continued a series of arrests.

Martinovic assessed that the international community should make additional efforts to bring Kurti to a civilized and democratic attitude toward Serbs in Kosovo, who were not a national minority but full-fledged citizens of Serbia.

Regarding the situation in which, instead of forming the Community of Serb Municipalities, there is talk of reciprocity between northern Kosovo and southern central Serbia, he said that such reciprocity could not exist because, according to the Constitution of Serbia and UN Security Council Resolution 1244, "Kosovo and Metohija and the three municipalities in southern Serbia - Presevo, Bujanovac, and Medvedja - are integral parts of Serbia."

According to him, the Government of Serbia, through the Coordination Body for Presevo, Bujanovac, and Medvedja, is working on the overall development of these municipalities.

"The state is firmly committed to solving all the problems of the citizens in these areas, as evidenced by the significant funds we allocate through the Coordination Body for infrastructure, education, healthcare, and solving social and other issues, all with the aim of improving the quality of life of all citizens living in this part of Serbia. In 2023 alone, a total of 256 million dinars have been allocated for infrastructure projects, as well as 34 million dinars in subsidies," Martinovic said.

Speaking about the opposition's demand for holding early parliamentary and Belgrade elections, Martinovic stated that in a democratic state like Serbia, early elections were always possible, and the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) had always been ready to put the legitimacy of its policies to the test with the citizens.

"Of course, the final decision on when the elections will be held will be made by the highest bodies of the SNS, taking into account all the challenges that Serbia faces, especially regarding Kosovo and Metohija," Martinovic emphasized.