Vucic: Peace is a key interest; solution for Kosovo and Metohija in dialogue, with the CSM and respect for Resolution 1244

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated today that difficult days lie ahead for the country but emphasized that peace is the key interest for Serbs, and he emphasized that there is no other solution for the Kosovo issue except through dialogue, respecting UN Security Council Resolution 1244, the Brussels Agreement, and the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities.

"In the Declaration we are adopting, we spoke about Kosovo and Metohija, about the obligation to respect the UN Security Council Resolution as part of the international order, but we also clearly spoke about dialogue as the essential way to resolve problems between us and the Albanians. There is no other solution except through dialogue and insisting on it, respecting the Brussels Agreement, fulfilling obligations, establishing the CSM, and everything else," Vucic stated at the joint session of the governments of Serbia and the Republika Srpska within the All-Serbian Assembly.

As he warned, difficult days are ahead for Serbia, not because of the position of Serbs but due to what is happening in the world.

"If you look at Europe and America, they cannot allow Russia to win, and on the other hand, it is clear that the Russians cannot say they will lose because they would lose their country. This leads to a global catastrophe," the President of Serbia explained.

Therefore, as he emphasized, the most important Serbian interest is the preservation of peace.

"We Serbs are probably world champions in waging wars, always being attacked. It is time to preserve peace and build a future for our people. If we had not been part of all those wars, there would be more of us than the Dutch today," Vucic noted.

He reminded that Serbia was under heavy pressure regarding Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe, while Pristina had not fulfilled any of the agreements from the Brussels and Ohrid agreements.

Simultaneously, he recalled the adoption of the Resolution on Srebrenica, for which, as he noted, no one disputes that it was a place of horrific and gruesome events, which he strongly condemns, but the question remains – if a general resolution on genocide in the world was adopted in 2015, why was a specific document needed eight or nine years later?

"Another question to which no one has provided an answer – did it bring reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina or within the region? It did not. It brought joy to some and anger and fury to others. And then the key question – why was the resolution adopted? Precisely to cause mutual conflicts, so that later international peacemakers could come and scold us," the President of Serbia concluded.

Vucic stated that the Declaration clearly spoke about Serbia's European perspective.

"We must cooperate with our partners in the West, whether someone likes it or not. The Declaration contains a point about preserving our traditional friendships, which we have always maintained even in the toughest times and of which we will never be ashamed," he added.

As he reiterated, it is important for Serbs to extend a hand to Bosniaks everywhere, as they must feel at home here because this is their country too.

"We will always be ready for any kind of dialogue that will lead to better relations," Vucic emphasized.

He noted that the Declaration also referred to the Dayton Agreement.

"We signed the Dayton Agreement, not as a random passerby but as a guarantor of its implementation. And today they will say we did not... We do not have separation in the Declaration. Please think a million times about how much we all need peace. Don't worry, I know the agitators, all those who make vows in taverns, I have seen many who lectured me about Serbhood at the UN... The guys from Kosovo and Metohija know that whenever it is difficult, whenever there is trouble – call Vucic. It won't be a problem, and Serbia will never abandon Republika Srpska. Never. I only ask that you resolve problems peacefully in conversation with other peoples," President Vucic urged.

He added that words had been chosen carefully in the Declaration, and everything had been written very carefully, noting that certain requests from Republika Srpska had been taken into account.

"There are points about which even I was not fully informed, but I accepted them along with members of the Serbian Government. We cannot always be the ones to tell the people from Republika Srpska that we understand everything better," Vucic added.

As he emphasized, the Serbian national interest is the economy.

"Economic progress for every one of our people, both in Serbia and in Republika Srpska, is of vital interest to all of us and it is what gives us strength. Without the economy, we cannot preserve the Cyrillic script, the language, we won't be able to invest in textbooks, digital tools, theaters, museums... Therefore, we must attract additional investments, both in Serbia and in Republika Srpska," Vucic said.

He added that Serbia hopes to soon achieve an investment rating, which would happen for the first time in history.

"There is one thing you should never worry about – Serbia will be with its people no matter how difficult it is. It was so difficult and complicated at the UN, but we decided to fight. I ask that we fight for peace, for the progress of our economy, and we have fought today for the unity of our people, and let's not allow anyone to ever destroy it," Vucic said.

He clarified that the Serbs from Kosovo had not gotten to speak at the session of the two governments for a simple reason – they are part of Serbia and have representatives in the President and the Government.