Simic: A major threat has been removed – As of March 15 there will be no expulsion of Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija

“That is the most important thing. We have removed a major threat to the very survival and continued presence of Serbs in these areas. This is the result of extraordinary efforts by the state leadership headed by President Aleksandar Vucic, as well as representatives of the Serb List who worked with EU representatives to remove the threat that had loomed over our people and threatened both the survival of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija and the expulsion of more than 10,000 Serbs from the region. That matter is now closed—we are no longer discussing it,” Simic said at a press conference.

He specified that the implementation of the Law on Foreigners would have directly affected 7,200 Serbs living both north and south of the Ibar River, but that they will now be able to obtain Pristina-issued documents enabling them to live normally.

“I know what attitude Serbs have toward those documents, but at this moment it was a solution in order to preserve our people in these areas—to allow people to continue living in their homes, to prevent mothers from being separated from their children, to prevent families from being torn apart and property from being taken away,” Simic said.

Pointing out that the functioning of one of the most important institutions—the University with ten faculties and the Academy of Applied Studies in Leposavic—had been at risk, Simic stressed that this solution removes the danger that Serbs might be unable to maintain a functioning university.

“We prevented a situation in which our children—from those in kindergartens to those in schools—would be left without teachers and those who educate them, without whom normal life cannot function. Serbian educational and healthcare institutions will continue to provide services to citizens as before,” Simic stated.

“When it comes to the registration process for students, professors, and healthcare workers, it will proceed through our educational and healthcare institutions, with the full support of the mayors elected by citizens. That is why it was extremely important to achieve this outcome, so that our mayors could support our people and be in a position to resolve issues such as these,” Simic emphasized.

He thanked the state leadership of Serbia, as well as the Patriarch and the Metropolitan, who had warned the international community about the issue, and he called on citizens to trust their state and their political representatives to whom they had given their votes, rather than, as he put it, “charlatans” who attempted to gain publicity on a matter dangerous for the Serbian people while causing incalculable damage.

“These individuals did not choose their means when attacking the President of Serbia and us as political representatives of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, spreading lies that no one cared except for a few of them. This solution is the result of hard work and diplomacy. Such issues are resolved through work, not in the streets and by insulting one’s own state,” Simic said.

He also thanked EU representatives, who, he stressed, significantly contributed to reaching the solution, and called on them to jointly monitor its implementation on the ground in order to avoid unexpected developments as in the past.

“We expect EU representatives on the ground to monitor implementation. As the Serb List, we will continue to care for our people and point out any violations of their rights,” Simic emphasized.

He reiterated that citizens who do not possess Kosovo documents will not be expelled, but will instead be provided with the opportunity to obtain them.

Asked to further clarify the solution announced today, Simic explained that all persons living in Kosovo who do not possess documents recognized by Pristina will be given the possibility to obtain them.

As for individuals who come to Kosovo to work or study, their institutions will, he added, compile lists and forward them to the mayors, who will then submit them for processing.

Simic also stressed that there will be no integration of healthcare and education into the Kosovo system, and that these institutions will continue to operate in the interest of citizens. He recalled that these institutions are used not only by Serbs but also by Albanians, Gorani, and others living in the area.

Simic emphasized that he believes what Peter Sorensen said, rather than Albin Kurti, and that the EU will demonstrate its credibility regarding its statement that it expects the implementation of all agreements reached so far.

Asked whether he would continue advocating for the formation of the Community of Serb-Majority Municipalities (CSM), since it was not mentioned in the current context and the Kosovo authorities have no interlocutor for it, Simic replied that the Serbian people in Pristina have no interlocutor, because some believe that possessing power allows them to do whatever they want.

He recalled that Sorensen mentioned the need to implement previously reached agreements and added that the Serb List insists on the formation of the CSM at every meeting.

“We are deeply convinced that if the Community of Serb-Majority Municipalities had been formed, a huge number of problems faced by Serbs would not exist. We have always emphasized that it is necessary to establish the CSM and we welcome the EU’s position, which is identical to ours,” he stressed.

When asked about the Law on Vehicles, Simic said that he could not speak about the details at this moment.

He noted that several ideas are being discussed in order to find an appropriate solution, always keeping the interests of the Serbian people in mind.

“I cannot predict all the possible situations we may face, but there are some ideas on how to resolve that issue in favor of our citizens,” Simic said, expressing confidence that there will be no mass expulsions or punishment of the Serbian population.

The EU Special Representative for the Belgrade–Pristina Dialogue, Peter Sorensen, stated today at a press conference in Pristina that the EU considers it a key priority for the Government of Kosovo to ensure residence permits for employees and students affected by the Law on Foreigners, for an initial period of 12 months, in order, as he said, to prevent any interruption of healthcare and educational services.

The Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, also stated today at an extraordinary press conference that a solution had been reached regarding the Law on Foreigners that will allow the unhindered and normal functioning of Serbian healthcare and educational institutions in Kosovo, stressing that Serbs will not be foreigners in their own homes or in the institutions where they work.