Vucic: Our education and healthcare will not operate within Kosovo's system

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic, speaking from New York, dismissed the claims made by Kosovo's Minister of Interior, Xhelal Sveçla, that Serbia’s educational and healthcare institutions in northern Kosovo would no longer function under the Serbian system but would instead operate within Kosovo’s laws.

"That will not happen," Vucic stated before the press.

"They can come, the police can close schools and kindergartens, but this other part—it won’t happen. We will continue paying teachers' salaries, we will work with our children... It won’t be so easy for them," Vucic said.

He pointed out that Pristina had changed its approach. Since it couldn’t take control of the bridge over the Ibar River, it shifted focus to other issues.

"We have our measures in place, and we will continue to work on them. We will always stand with our people and always find solutions that way," Vucic added.

He noted the growing frustration and hysteria in Pristina. "They have no other topic except Belgrade, Serbia, Serbs... They have nothing else to talk about. And what else could they talk about?" Vucic asked rhetorically.

Conveyed Serbia’s Frustration Over the Collapse of the 2013 Brussels Agreement

Vucic also emphasized that he had conveyed Serbia's frustration and dismay to the EU Special Envoy for Dialogue, Miroslav Lajcák, regarding the dismantling of everything agreed upon in the 2013 Brussels Agreement.

"From the police in northern Kosovo and Metohija, to the abolishment of the dinar, the closure of the Post Office, the ban on the import of goods... Reasons are always being invented with the sole purpose of expelling the Serbian people from Kosovo and Metohija," Vucic told reporters in New York.

He reiterated that Serbia would never shy away from dialogue.

On EU Spokesperson Peter Stano and Kosovo's Flag

Vucic pointed out that he had been right in his remarks about EU spokesperson Peter Stano, who had recently used the Kosovo flag in a social media post, violating the EU's supposed neutrality regarding Kosovo's status.

"But this is common practice among them because when they come from countries that don’t recognize Kosovo, they try to please the powerful nations, to be 'more Catholic than the Pope,'" Vucic added.

No Effective 'Cure' for Kosovo's Situation, Thanks to Citizens for Support

Vucic thanked the citizens of Serbia for their support regarding his speech at the UN General Assembly, even though, as he said, everyone is aware that he didn’t have "many cures" to offer or recommend for the situation in Kosovo.

"Just like the world doesn't have effective cures for cancer, there are no effective cures for our problems regarding Kosovo and Metohija. Our obligation is to keep things under control and continue living until circumstances in the world change, allowing us to make demands in line with international legal norms. We ask for nothing more, but nothing less," Vucic stated.

He said his duty was to tell the truth, and he was glad that the citizens of Serbia recognized this.

International Law and Double Standards

Vucic remarked that international law applies to some countries but not to others. He said that UN Secretary-General António Guterres knows that Serbia is right, though he cannot publicly say so.

"He is a smart and educated man, and he knows all this. That's why he doesn't rush or run to make statements to appease some people in the West because he's well aware of the situation. Of course, he cannot speak about it publicly," Vucic noted.

Vucic recalled that before him at the UN General Assembly, the representative from Lithuania spoke extensively about respecting territorial integrity and the UN Charter—but only when it came to Russia and Ukraine.

"When it comes to the Serbs, the 'great powers' are uninterested and don't care," Vucic remarked.

Criticism of the West's Hypocrisy

He pointed out the hypocrisy of the West, mentioning that an event marking the liberation of Auschwitz and Birkenau, which were liberated by the Russians, would be held in Poland, but Russia was not invited.

"I assume those who established the camps will be invited. Everything in this world seems perverse, inverted, and strange to us. The same applies to us. You can strip Serbs of their country, speak of secession. It's most amusing when I see a minister from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina posing with the Bosnian and Kosovo flags, and then they go to Republic of Srpska and accuse them of secessionist demands. They are against the UN Charter, but when they violate the UN Charter, they don’t care," Vucic said.

He explained that Serbia's opponents act this way because they believe they have the backing of powerful Western countries.

Serbia’s Commitment to the EU Path

On the other hand, Vucic emphasized that Serbia is part of the European continent and must continue its path toward EU membership, aligned with its economic interests.

Vucic also mentioned a truly friendly conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, expressing gratitude for China’s "iron friendship" with Serbia.

"Wang Yi clearly expressed Beijing's firm and resolute stance on respecting international law and Serbia's territorial integrity," Vucic added, noting that this time China's support was even stronger.

He also expressed gratitude to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian for Iran's support of Serbia’s territorial integrity, affirming that Serbia will always support the territorial integrity of every internationally recognized country.

Vucic mentioned having important meetings with African leaders, which he said are very significant for Serbia.

"In January or February, we should have a visit from the President of Angola. I had brotherly and friendly conversations with the Presidents of Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and I believe we will host the President of the DRC next year. We are gradually building our network of friends, which is not easy to do, with countries from Africa, Oceania, and the Caribbean states," Vucic said.

He added that he would continue awarding honors to representatives of these countries during his stay in New York, as friendship leads to better political and economic cooperation.

The UN Has Turned Into a Cheerleading Squad, When It Should Be a Place for Dialogue

President Aleksandar Vucic added, after carefully listening to the speeches of leaders during yesterday's debate, that he does not hold much hope.

"Erdogan called for the recognition of Northern Cyprus, Biden says they want peace and a ceasefire, but without specifying how or under what conditions. Everyone has a plan for Ukraine’s victory, yet no one has said when and how... I’ve seen that the UN has turned into a cheerleading squad—key words are followed by applause... But the UN should be a place for dialogue, not a cheerleading squad. However, there are significant changes happening in the world," the Serbian President remarked.

Vucic announced that he still has many obligations today, including lunch with some of the world's wealthiest individuals, after which he will attend a meeting hosted by Josep Borrell.