Petkovic: We insist on all agreements we have been negotiating for the last 11 years

The Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, stated that Belgrade has always been committed to dialogue and compromise, as this is the way to maintain peace and stability in Kosovo, and on the other hand, he emphasized that it is Pristina, led by Albin Kurti, that has been taking escalatory actions on the ground, aiming to expel the Serbian population.

Petkovic noted that he does not expect much from the upcoming round of dialogue, based on past experiences from previous negotiations and meetings.

"Belgrade is always ready to talk. We respond to every invitation from Mr. Lajcak and attend meetings in Brussels with our experts. We are there to discuss and resolve key issues crucial for the survival of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija, primarily regarding the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities. We have no problem meeting directly with Pristina and discussing these matters, which is why we are in Brussels. The problem is always with Pristina, which refuses to sit down and discuss with Belgrade, particularly on the CSM and the implementation of all previously agreed-upon and signed agreements. We have been waiting 11 years for the formation of the CSM, and all the repression and escalating actions by Pristina and Albin Kurti, which occur daily, aim to drive the Serbian people out of Kosovo and Metohija," Petkovic stated, adding that if the CSM were formed, these issues would not exist.

He believes that the responsibility lies with Pristina and the EU, as guarantors of the agreements, but reiterated that Serbia remains committed to negotiations as the only way to preserve the peace and stability that are so desperately needed.

"We always use these talks to remind everyone of the terror Albin Kurti is inflicting, such as the closure of Serbian institutions, illegal actions, the ban on monetary transactions and the dinar, arbitrary arrests of innocent people, persecution, and the illegal presence of Albanian police in northern Kosovo and Metohija, which, according to Article 9 of the Brussels Agreement, should not be there. We insist on implementing all the agreements we have reached over the past 11 years, as this is the only way to normalize relations," he emphasized.

Petkovic underlined that without the CSM, there can be no talk of normalized relations or peace, which is desperately needed by the Serbs in Kosovo.

He added that peace and stability must be safeguarded, as they are the only way for the country to move forward. With a larger budget, more factories, and more jobs, the budget allocations for Kosovo will also grow, something understood by people living in Kosovo, he added.

"Due to the terror inflicted by Albin Kurti, more than 15% of Serbs have left Kosovo and Metohija. The state is here and will continue to support its people. We will fight through financial, diplomatic, and political means to preserve what is ours and to ensure the continuation of dialogue, as that is the only way to resolve the issue of Kosovo and Metohija. For us, compromise is not a bad or forbidden word; perhaps it is in Pristina. If we want an agreement, we must meet halfway. However, we see that every time before the dialogue resumes, Pristina takes escalatory actions to divert attention from their obligations," Petkovic stressed, pointing out that an election campaign is about to begin in Pristina, which means the anti-Serb campaign will intensify.

Petkovic stated in conclusion that Serbia must remain wise and determined in its efforts to protect the Serbs in Kosovo.