Vucic with Stoltenberg: Only the Serbs are attacked in Kosovo; cooperation with KFOR is important

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic stated today after a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg that cooperation with NATO and KFOR was important for Serbia, hoping that to some extent, it would ensure the safety and security of the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija.

He emphasized that since 2001, there had been no need for KFOR to secure a safe and secure environment for any other community in Kosovo except for the Serbs, and exclusively for the Serbs.

"Only the Serbs have been attacked since 2001, then in 2004, and in 2008. I informed Stoltenberg that 13 percent of the Serbs had left the north in the last year due to pressure, harassment, arrests, and threats from the Pristina regime. If that is not violence, then I don't know what is", Vucic said.

He stated that he was aware that the West was only interested in Banjska and events in Zvecan before that.

"I have to say that we have a different view, but understanding the demands of the West and NATO, we will strive to have good cooperation", the President said.

Stating that the Serbian Army had performed its duties correctly and had not exceeded its powers, Vucic emphasized that it was up to Serbia to deploy its military forces in accordance with the Constitution of Serbia.

"Where we deploy our army is our business in accordance with the Constitution of Serbia, without endangering anyone", Vucic highlighted, responding to the remarks of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg that additional troops of the Serbian Army on the administrative line with Kosovo would not contribute to de-escalation.

He also reminded Stoltenberg and others in the West that the conflict with KFOR in Zvecan had occurred after the Serbs had rebelled against Albanian mayors, and events in Banjska had happened a year after the US and the EU had given assurances that there would be no arrests of those at the barricades.

"Then they started. Even Albanian police officers in the north, who have no business in the north, as well as the KSF who were shooting children on Christmas Eve, have no right to exist according to Resolution 1244, which led to Banjska. We do not agree with this, so we will hold those who participated in these events accountable", Vucic said.

As he adds, cooperation with NATO is correct and good.

"When someone discusses politely then they can say that there is no need for so many soldiers in a certain place, but we do not take orders", he emphasized once again.

Regarding joint exercises with NATO, Vucic said that he would instruct the Serbian Government to reconsider the decision to resume joint exercises.

"It is important for us that people understand that it is difficult to explain to people in Serbia that NATO's mandate is based on Resolution 1244. We want even greater KFOR presence, but we have a problem with the political interpretation of the resolution", he said.

He reiterated that Serbia would maintain peace and stability.

"Serbia is doing everything it can to reach a compromise solution in the dialogue, and we will not gain anything from the CSM, and we will not form it as long as Kurti is in power. We will only seek excuses, even those that take away a part of our authority, but I know that the great Western powers will always protect their child, and we Serbs, we will live to tell the tale", Vucic stated.

The President of Serbia highlighted that at the meeting, he had heard, as he put it, "not easy words" from Stoltenberg, but thanked the Secretary General for always being willing to listen to what "Serbia thinks".

He states that Serbia will have to improve relations with NATO but will fiercely preserve military neutrality.

Responding to a question about whether those responsible for attacks on the Serbs in Kosovo, specifically those who shot Dragisa Galjak, will be held accountable, and until when the criteria for what Serbia needs to do, will be moved, Vucic emphasized that no one would ever be held accountable.

"No one will ever be held accountable; they don't even know who did it. No one is conducting an investigation. They arrested a man for whom even NATO agreed that he did nothing, and he is still in custody, and there is no investigation into Dragisa Galjak. Who cares that he was shot twice in the back? He is a Serb. If it were the other way around, the whole world would be outraged, but this is justice for the Serbs. But that has nothing to do with Jens Stoltenberg; NATO does not conduct investigations. That is the job for EULEX, the Pristina police", Vucic emphasized.

He reminded that the man who had shot children simply because they had been carrying a Serbian Christmas tree was free and walking around.

"Who cares? This is not Banjska. No one will ever be held accountable for attacks on the Serbs, and no one will ask them anything", Vucic stated.

Regarding shifting criteria, as the President of Serbia noted, this would continue.

"It's not something new; they always do it and will continue because the point is when will we recognize the independence of Kosovo. For us, that is less important. For us, what matters is how to preserve peace and ensure the security of the Serbs in Kosovo because they are the only ones being attacked. If NATO can help us, that's great, we will cooperate, but receiving orders from Pristina on where our army will be, that is out of the question", Vucic stated.