Vucevic: These are not incidents, but attempted murders, attacks, pressures

Minister of Defense Milos Vucevic, on the occasion of yesterday's meeting with representatives of the Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija, said that it was difficult to make decisions that did not correspond to those emotions and emotional charge, but that this was the task of politicians, Pink reports.

The minister, speaking for RTS, stated that this was exactly the difference compared to those who dealt with collecting cheap political points, and that made the president a statesman who thought strategically and took care of the state not only today but also for the next period.

"The meeting that was organized yesterday is not the first meeting with the Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija. This was even more difficult because of the whole series of events that happened. Since the beginning of the year, there have been 38 attacks on representatives of the Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija," Vucevic said.

He emphasized that it had not been about any incidents, but premeditated attacks on the Serbs.

"These are attempted murders, serious injuries, forms of terror, and pressure on the Serbian community. No one has a dilemma about that anymore; the only question is whether they want to clearly say that in the international community, where there is a kind of wall of silence, that Kosovo is being ethnically cleansed of the Serbian community. As the President of Serbia also said, our everyone ignored our suffering. Above all, human stories and destinies were heard, and for us in the rest of Serbia, sometimes invisible. When you hear those authentic interpretations of the Serbs who live in almost impossible conditions, it was useful for the members of the Government and for the entire Serbian public to hear them. And it is difficult to make decisions in some sense that do not correspond to those emotions and emotional charge but that is the task of politicians. And that distinguishes them from those who deal with collecting cheap political points and that makes him a statesman," Vucevic said.

The Minister of Defense reiterated that Serbia was seeking an immediate response from the international community.

"Our state and national interest is to protect peace. Serbia's interest is that there is no escalation and any further conflict and involvement in conflicts. That is why it is our task and obligation to reach a solution through that dialogue process, which should be a compromise. But the Albanian side has a completely different vision, unfortunately, encouraged by some external factors," Vucevic explained.

The Minister of Defense also spoke about the five conclusions that had been reached.

"What was put under number one is the request that what we call the international community, i.e. the countries of the Quint, to be directly involved and not allow further escalation and unilateral violation of the agreement related to license plates. There is a flare-up over one administrative and technical issue. Serbia offered several options and it is ready for compromise solutions, and the Albanian side constantly insists on the most radical way, endangering not only the property but also the lives of the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija. This is something that cannot leave anyone indifferent and really worries us, bearing in mind the agenda that was defined by Kurti himself and stated that he would implement", Vucevic was explicit and explained that under number two, after ten years, the CSM had to be established.

In response to the question of whether the international community is ready to first form the CSM, and only then organize elections, he said that this was not the case.

"Formally yes, but fundamentally no. It is not only a question of the CSM, but what the content of its form is. What the Serbs will gain through it. It is not a non-governmental association for lovers of postage stamps and napkins, but it must have what is defined through the process of dialogue and principles from Brussels in 2015. There are exactly 22 principles. We do not want anyone to form a CSM that has no competence. Under number three, the immediate withdrawal of all special units from the North because they are staying there illegally and illegitimately. Number four, it is impossible to hold elections in the North without the participation of the majority community. Only after the formation of the CSM, when the Serbs return to the institutions, can it be expected that the Serbs will return to the institutions, that the elections will be held. And under number five, Serbia will continue to support the Serbian community with economic measures. This is almost 40 million euro package assistance on an annual basis," the Minister of Defense concluded.

He assessed that the security situation in Kosovo and Metohija and at the administrative crossings was challenging and that there was a high degree of risk.

"Our security system is disciplined, focused, ready, trained, and what we control, all citizens can be safe. But it should be underlined that no one should have any doubts and that it is clear that the Serbian community would like the army and the police to return to the province. And can anyone blame them for that? And something completely different is that it is not possible at this moment. On Christmas Eve this year, we were refused and it is up to us as a state to insist and remind KFOR and EULEX what their obligations are," Vucevic believes.

He recalled how the state had repeatedly denied that Serbia exported weapons to the warring parties in Ukraine, but he noted how, despite this, such falsehoods kept appearing.

"We are not ashamed of our defense industry. Here we are simply talking about the truth and the fact. We do not export and have not exported weapons to Ukraine. Our policy is very clear here, we have the right to sell to those who are legal buyers. This is an attempt to destabilize Serbia and all pro-Western and pro-Russian elements also accept that game," Vucevic said.

Announcing the display of the Serbian Armed Forces and the "Granit 2023" exercise, the Minister invited all citizens to come to the Military Airport in Batajnica on April 22.

"Over 5,000 soldiers will participate, almost 2,400 pieces of military equipment will be on display, various air forces will have their own program, there will be a parade of special units," Vucevic said.