Dacic: Pressure has never been more impudent and reckless, but we will never give up on Kosovo

The leader of the Socialist Party of Serbia, Ivica Dacic, stated tonight that threats regarding Kosovo had never been greater, more open, and impudent, but that Serbia would never give up on Kosovo.

"Everything we talk about when it comes to national and state interests boils down to one point – Kosovo and Metohija. Aleksandar Vucic and I have been on the front lines for years and know very well what it looks like when they try to take something that is ours when they openly threaten our people to drive them out of their homes and their country", Dacic said at the election convention of the Socialists in Belgrade.

As he pointed out, the international community had never been so persistent in trying to make Serbia give in and renounce Kosovo.

"They tell us - take the burden off your shoulders, it will be easier for you... Threats have never been more open, ruthless, and impudent. They know that none of us, neither Vucic, nor I, nor the Socialist Party, nor our entire coalition - will ever give up Kosovo and Metohija. We will never recognize independent Kosovo. There is no Kosovo in the UN, the Serbs remain in Kosovo. There is no capitulation", Dacic emphasized.

He also added that the entire international community knew that Pristina did not want an agreement and compromise but only the independence of Kosovo, with the expulsion of Serbs, and tolerated and supported them in that.

"These are the lines we will stick to with Vucic as long as we have the support of the people", the leader of the Socialists stated.

He added that it was not easy, which was why stability and unity of citizens were needed.

He stated that they would continue the policy of "de-recognizing" Kosovo, and the Socialist Part stood against Serbia's NATO membership, which had bombed Yugoslavia.

He also noticed that some from the opposition said that Kosovo should be recognized, and others said that the Government should send the army to Kosovo, but, he said, none of them said that it was not good.

"Kosovo will never be independent, but we do not want war. We will fight and win so that Serbs no longer suffer, to win without shedding blood", Dacic said.

He stated that he wanted, if the citizens supported him, to be the Prime Minister of a strong and stable Serbia.

"A Serbia that is economically growing, where the standard of living is improving. The Republika Srpska is still the main priority of national policy. We are for the EU, but with the protection of national and state interests. We will pay special attention to traditional friends, Russia, China, India, Egypt, countries of the African Union, and Latin America. Serbia must be politically stable; that is a precondition for everything we do. We want to be the Serbian anchor on the political scene, to provide the necessary stability. To preserve national and state interests in the world around us, to fight for the basic principles of international law, and to strengthen the economy. Serbia is today the most promising economy in the Western Balkans; that would not be possible without political stability", Dacic said.

The election convention of the Socialist Party of Serbia in the Stark Arena in Belgrade began with the song "Veseli se srpski rode", and the song "Oj, Kosovo, Kosovo" was performed during the convention.