Vucevic: We want the CSM only according to the principles defined by the 2015 Agreement

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Milos Vucevic expressed his hope today that the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities would be formed according to the principles defined in the 2015 Agreement and not something without any authority.

On Pink TV, Vucevic was asked about US Ambassador Christopher Hill's statement that Washington wants to form the CSM, and he said that Serbia had been waiting for such big news for ten years, but that he didn't think Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti was ready for it.

"It is important for Serbia to remain at the negotiating table rather than being a topic on the table. It is better to participate in discussions on topics, no matter how painful they may be, than to isolate ourselves and give the right to those who would condemn Serbia. As for those who announced February 27 as the day when we will give up Kosovo, of course, nothing happened, as President Aleksandar Vucic stated, and not only before that meeting but also for the previous ten years," Vucevic explained.

He says that those calling for such a thing would be pleased because they would be able to claim that there is nothing they can do because everything has been settled.

Also, Vucevic rejects the criticism that Serbia does not disclose its actions in advance, stressing that the cards cannot be shown in advance during negotiations.

At the same time, he underlined that Kosovo did not join international organizations wherever Serbia had the right to vote and the possibility of lobbying.

"We defend everything we can defend, and there isn't much room for maneuver," Vucevic said.

Regarding some parties' request for a new parliamentary session on Kosovo, Vucevic reminded that Vucic had been in the Parliament a month ago to discuss that issue.

"As a result, he demonstrated in the right way that he is the most responsible towards the citizens, ready to respond to any objection. Part of the opposition wanted to fight, we sent a picture that looked like Kurti had taken it, suggesting that we fight in the Assembly. Instead of a part of the opposition coming out with a proposal or a platform. It would have been ideal if we had been united. If there is a topic on which we should be united, it is the issue of Kosovo and Metohija and where that issue will go further," Vucevic said.

He adds that ongoing harassment and harangues are harmful to the country, which state that Vucic is capable of harming his country, despite the fact that he has always done and continues to do the exact opposite.

He points out that it is enough to arrange the facts and compare the situation in Serbia until 2012 and after 2012, how many countries recognized Kosovo until then and how many recognize it now, and what the salaries, pensions, unemployment rate, or GDP were.

"Things are very simple; you just need to put them in the right context and then see if someone is a traitor or if someone else harmed Serbia while they were leading it," Vucevic emphasized.

Commenting on the imposition of KLA symbols on officials in Kosovo institutions, Vucevic said that it was not surprising.

"This does not surprise us. That is Albin Kurti's and everyone else's ideology – they promote the KLA as a victorious army, but we perceive it and have experienced it as a terrorist organization, and we will not agree on that," Vucevic said.

The Minister of Defense reiterated that Serbia had not sold a single piece of weapons to any party in the conflict in Ukraine, neither Russia nor Ukraine, and that everything exported goes exclusively to those buyers who bring a certificate that the end users are following international rules.

"President Vucic explained it clearly. This is not the first attack on our dedicated industry," Vucevic pointed out.

He explained that the Serbian side, in order to further protect itself, knowing that there was a possibility that someone would abuse the goods that were sold, set a clause for the end user that they could not re-export Serbian armaments and military equipment without the Serbian side's consent.

"In the sea of attacks and frauds that it was exported, there is a note that the Serbian side did not give consent and that it had a ban. Serbia respects military neutrality and does not sell weapons anywhere where there is a conflict. It is a shame that some from Serbia also participate in attacks on their country, telling half-truths," the Minister of Defense said, adding that Serbia was strengthening the capacities of its dedicated industry.

He announced that the dedicated industry would be encouraged with an additional 100 million euros for the purchase of equipment and modernization, as well as 300 million euros for the purchase of equipment for the Serbian Armed Forces.