Petkovic: Belgrade ready to compromise for the sake of peace, Kurti obstructing the dialogue

Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, met with the Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Portugal in Serbia, Jose Amaral, today, informing him about the difficult situation of the Serbian people in Kosovo and the current course of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, with a special focus on the recent round of talks in Brussels.

As stated in the Office for Kosovo and Metohija statement, Petkovic confirmed that last week in Brussels, all key topics had been discussed, from de-escalating the crisis in northern Kosovo to the implementation of all previously reached agreements within the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue.

In that context, Petkovic emphasized that Belgrade was the constructive party in the dialogue, ready for compromise to normalize relations and establish lasting and sustainable peace. However, as he stated, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has clearly underlined that Belgrade cannot accept the independence of so-called Kosovo and its membership in the UN.

Furthermore, according to Petkovic, Belgrade is fully prepared for the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities, which is an essential need for the Serbian people in northern Kosovo and Metohija, providing them with all collective rights to remain and thrive in their centuries-old homeland.

"Unfortunately, Pristina, led by Albin Kurti, once again attempts to obstruct the dialogue process in every possible way and the fulfillment of the obligations it has undertaken. It also refuses to create conditions for holding local elections in four Serbian municipalities in northern Kosovo and Metohija in order to keep its false mayors in power. Respecting the commitments made in the Belgrade-Pristina talks would help achieve a comprehensive, compromise solution for Kosovo and Metohija, which is in the interest of peace in the entire region," Petkovic concluded.