Vucic: Talks are the only way to resolve problems in Kosovo and Metohija; we must strengthen our people

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, said today that the country’s Constitution, as well as the United Nations Charter, states that “Kosovo and Metohija is an autonomous province within Serbia”, which a larger part of the world recognizes and respects. He pointed out that dialogue is the only way to resolve problems, but that today Serbia does not have a partner in Pristina with whom it can talk, and he announced additional support for the Serbian people.

Presenting the “National Strategy Serbia 2030”, Vucic said he sees Serbia as an independent, free, and sovereign country that will make decisions independently in its foreign policy while preserving its friendships.

“When I speak about that policy, it would be a shame not to speak about Kosovo and Metohija. The Constitution of the Republic of Serbia clearly states what Kosovo and Metohija is, an autonomous province within the Republic of Serbia, which is also written in the UN Charter and in the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244,” Vucic stressed.

He pointed out that a larger part of the world recognizes and respects this.

“Does a large part of the world recognize it? One part does not, but a larger part recognizes and respects it. One most developed part of the world does not recognize it, because they carried out aggression against Serbia in order to easily achieve their geopolitical interests. Today you can see all their weaknesses in achieving those interests,” he said.

Vucic added that the leadership of Serbia knows all the types and the number of missiles fired in the Persian battlefield and is closely monitoring developments while preparing responses for any potential future crisis, adding that Serbia is much more prepared than some think or expect.

“As far as Kosovo and Metohija is concerned, the only way to resolve problems is through talks. We do not want conflicts or wars. Dialogue, dialogue…” Vucic emphasized.

However, he added that in the past, there were partners for talks, even when it was difficult and on the verge of physical conflict, while today Serbia has no partner to speak with.

“Their only wish is the expulsion of Serbs and the removal of Serbia. That is why we must strengthen our people, hospitals, and schools. Investment in education must increase, as well as in healthcare, because it is the pillar of survival. We will increase financial assistance for every one of our compatriots in Kosovo and Metohija,” President Vucic said.

He also noted that he will try to condition American partners, with whom the road from Raska to Jarinje is being built, with the construction of a fast road toward Kosovska Mitrovica.

“That will not mean only for the four Serbian municipalities, but for our people in Kosovo and Metohija more broadly,” Vucic added.

He announced additional investments in preserving the pillars of spirituality and identity, including churches and monasteries of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

“We preserve our policy and our principles, we are moving toward Europe, but above all, we think about ourselves. We accept the challenge of the modern revolution of artificial intelligence and move forward,” Vucic said.

We live in the time of the beginning of major conflicts, we must preserve peace and stability

Vucic stated that everyone is living in the time of the beginning of major conflicts and that Serbia’s priority is to preserve peace and stability.

“This is only the beginning of conflicts. There will be a pause. The Americans will destroy all of Iran’s military infrastructure and architecture, while the Iranians will try to defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity. But at one point, it will be clear whose power is dominant. This is only the beginning of conflicts, not only with Iran but across the world,” he said.

Vucic emphasized that tectonic changes are taking place around the world.

He pointed out that there is increasing pressure to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, adding that it will not end soon.

“It will continue, and new and even more difficult conflicts will arise. I predict that conflicts will end with the most severe casualties for humanity because weapons will be used that have been used only once in the world,” the President of Serbia said.

He stressed that Serbia’s goal is to preserve peace and stability in the country.

“We have always been a brave and proud nation that valued freedom above all. We paid a huge price for that. In World War I, we lost 29 percent of the population, and in World War II the largest part of the national corpus was killed, primarily west of the Drina and a significant part on the territory of present day Serbia by the German occupier,” he emphasized.

Vucic said that the only value that must be defended is freedom and independence.

“That is why we must endure provocations from various factors in the region. That is not a sign of cowardice, but we must show strategic wisdom and commitment to peace, protect our people and create conditions for demographic renewal, for which no one has yet found a solution,” he pointed out.

He stressed that Serbia must preserve peace, stability, and the lives of children, citizens, and women.

Serbia will not change its position of military neutrality; we are opening a drone factory

Vucic said that Serbia will preserve its position of military neutrality, which, as he noted, it has not changed despite great pressures and will not change in the next ten years.

He added that this position has brought many benefits to Serbia, although it has come at a price.

“It has brought great respect to Serbia, although we paid a price because some did not see us in their camp, so we were left without their funds and articles were written about us claiming that we were eager to start a conflict in the Balkans, even though we remained silent in the face of every provocation and expulsion of the population in order to preserve peace and restore the Serbian national being and identity,” Vucic said.

He stressed that the Serbian Armed Forces will be further strengthened.

“We must strengthen our army and cooperate with everyone. We have good relations with Russia and increasingly better relations with China. We must build good strategic and tactical relations with NATO countries as well, especially with the Alliance, because we must never again allow ourselves to become victims of their attacks. In today’s world, nothing is absolutely secure,” the President of Serbia noted.

Therefore, he says, dialogue and partnership must be maintained with everyone, mentioning that the Serbian Armed Forces conduct exercises with armies of different alliances and countries.

“I am happy when I hear that we have had joint exercises with different sides, whether with NATO or with the Americans. Continue exercises with other partners as well, because this contributes to preserving peace, stability, and security for our country, but it must be made clear to everyone that Serbia jealously guards its military neutrality and will not change it,” Vucic emphasized, adding that 1999 cannot be forgotten but that better relations must be built.

He repeated that both the army and the police will be strengthened at an accelerated pace.

“In this plan you will not see money allocated for that, but in order to preserve peace and stability, we allocate more than 2.5 percent of GDP for the army and police. In the last three months alone, more than six billion euros have been spent on weapons and equipment. That is an enormous amount for a small country like Serbia,” Vucic said.

He noted that this does not mean preparation for war but the preservation of peace.

“That is the only guarantee that we will preserve peace,” Vucic said.

He stressed that Serbia must adhere to international law and be ready to confront threats, recalling attempts to undermine the country’s territorial integrity.

He also announced the upcoming opening of a drone factory.

“We will soon open the first factory for serious drones of the most advanced global production. From the end of April, we will start full production with a foreign partner,” President Vucic said.

I see Serbia as a member of the European Union in 2035

The President also said that he sees Serbia as a member of the European Union by 2035.

“I see Serbia in 2035 as a member of the European Union. Will we have voting rights or a commissioner? I do not know. But we must accelerate our reforms to achieve that,” Vucic said.

He added that this must include the rule of law, even though sometimes it does not truly relate to it, but certain tasks must be fulfilled, even if they may sometimes appear absurd.

“And we must overcome and understand all of that, because such tricks will continue,” he added.

Nevertheless, he noted that regarding the EU, there are many positive aspects he discussed with European officials, Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, mentioning their support in the fields of energy and infrastructure.

“Serbia will accelerate reforms on its EU path, but not everything depends on us, much more depends on the decisions of others,” Vucic said, expressing concern that Europe does not fully understand what is fundamentally and strategically happening around the world today.