Dačić: The West aims at our tacit consent to the membership of Kosovo and Metohija in the CoE
“We are in the most difficult position in Europe, because the largest number of European countries have recognized Kosovo. The balance of power in the CoE is such that a decision may very well pass. The main obstacle for them is that no country was accepted without consensus before, which is the reason we are being pressured. Now that they have kicked Russia out of the CoE they want to show that they are united. And they are putting pressure on us and other countries that did not recognize Kosovo not to be present at the session, giving our tacit consent to start the procedure,” Dačić said for Tanjug.
He pointed out that the issue of the conflict in Ukraine is closely related to the issue of the territorial integrity of Serbia through the respect for the principles of international law.
Dačić reminded that Serbia’s position was always the same, which is respect for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“If the response from the West to our territorial integrity would be the same as in the case of Ukraine, then we would not have such a dilemma, but here we see that there are double standards on both sides, and now everyone interprets the principles of international law as they see fit at a certain moment. At the same session of the Council of Europe we hear strong support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine and support to Kosovo to become a member of the Council of Europe. How can anyone relate one with another,” Dačić said.
He said that the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe is currently chaired by Ireland, which promised the so-called Kosovo that the procedure for membership in the CoE will be initiated.
“However, their presidency will be over soon and it is important to see what will happen on November 3rd. There is an Irish-German plan that is not very explicit concerning support to Kosovo, but which will be sent for deliberation. “We are absolutely against the initiation of any procedure and we will fight against it, and that is the first and most important issue that I am facing as the Minister of Foreign Affairs,” Dačić stressed.
He assessed that the Prime Minister of the temporary institutions of Pristina, Albin Kurti, is behaving like this because the West is not directing any threats of sanctions at Pristina if it fails to act constructively, and on the other hand, Serbia is always threatened with a “stick”.
“It is cynical to just condemn and never take any action against them. I think Kurti is starting to annoy the West. If someone is a 100 percent your player, it means that they should do everything you say. He sometimes does something that is out of the agreed framework. They do not want any trouble, but Kurti will cause it, whether directly by impounding cars or by punitive measures, but that will cause a reaction from the Serbs," Dačić added.
He believes that the so-called Kosovo will not organize elections for the national minority councils, because they wish to show that they no longer have any ties with Serbia and that they do not want any part of the Serbian system of government to be carried out in the territory of the self-proclaimed Republic of Kosovo.
Dačić said that President Aleksandar Vučić gave his view of the Franco-German plan for Kosovo and Metohija including the demarche related to registration plates sent to Serbia by Quinta from the session of the National Security Council.
“The president was clear - we will be constructive and we will not contribute to any obstruction or incidents, but we will also do everything to protect national interests and our people in Kosovo and Metohija,” Dačić reminded.
He pointed out that the Franco-German proposal was presented in an unacceptable way for Serbia, because it implies that a political solution for Kosovo and Metohija is not discussed.
“They believe that there is nothing to discuss regarding political solution, because that ended with the declaration of independence. The main problem is to anesthetize Serbia and make it swallow that pill, which is why they are offering some plans for the future,” Dačić said.
He added that it is not a final version of the document, because it will not be decided by France and Germany independently, but by the UN Security Council.
“All separatists in the world will use the argument that Kosovo used when it made a unilateral decision to declare independence and will use the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice. Russia is using that argument now, even though it does not recognize Kosovo, in order to recognize the separatist republics in Ukraine. Western countries said that Kosovo is not a precedent, but a case onto itself, and that no one should refer to it. That is why they want to take it off the list of problematic issues as soon as possible,” Dačić said.
He pointed out that such expectations are unrealistic, because Serbia will not agree to such a thing.
“We want a just solution that must be based on the consent given by Serbia and the Serbian people living in Kosovo and Metohija. No plan will work without our consent, and we will only give our consent if our interests are met,” Dačić said.
He called on the West to be practical in relation to Serbia and added that this means that Serbia cannot meet their demands until it sees that someone is also protecting and looking after Serbian interests.
“Right now, on the one hand we are told we should impose sanctions on Russia, and on the other hand, we are told that Kosovo should join the CoE.” What will Serbia get? We want a fair relationship, we want a relationship that will be based on international law,” the Minister of Foreign Affairs said.
Regarding the relationship between Serbia and the West, he said that Serbia has always had a “race with a moving target”.
“First it was said that we must arrest Karadžić, Mladić and others. As soon as that was over, the issue of Kosovo came to fore, and now we are pressured to impose sanctions against Russia. What will happen after we impose sanctions on Russia?” he asked.
Dačić said that Serbia must see an extended hand, just as Serbia is extending its hand to others.
“I don't know if we’ll see that, but unjust actions towards Serbia that fail to acknowledge our national and state interests do not bring us closer to the West. Being laughed at straight to our face, saying that our territorial integrity must not be mentioned, that we must impose sanctions on Russia because of the territorial integrity of Ukraine, each move that favours Kosovo, all that pushes us harder into the arms of our old friends. We are not to blame,” Dačić said.
He assessed that in the coming period the position of President Vučić will be very challenging and riddled with many threats.
“I think that he was clear about his position: peace, peace, and only peace, but don’t force us to defend ourselves,” Dačić emphasised.
Soruce/Photo: Tanjug