Content Management Powered by CuteNews
Mission of The Republic of Serbia to the NATO
| |     ћирилица | latinica  
Home
18. Oct 2022. --- Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Nikola Selaković at the meeting of the UN Security Council on the report on the work of UNMIK

 

Mr. President,
Madam Special Representative,
Ladies and gentleman,

It gives me honor to address this distinguished body once again and to discuss the latest report of the Secretary-General on the work of the UNMIK.

I would like to thank the Secretary-General and the Special Representative for submitting the report. We take note of the efforts that Ms. Ziadeh makes in performing this very responsible duty, especially bearing in mind the necessity of a comprehensive overview and the complexity of the situation on the ground.

I also take this opportunity to underline that the Republic of Serbia highly values the activities of UNMIK in Kosovo and Metohija, established under UN Security Council Resolution 1244. We advocate for its continued operation in an unchanged and undiminished scope and capacity, especially bearing in mind that the Mission has not yet achieved the main goal of its mandate - a peaceful and normal life for all citizens of our southern province.
Ladies and gentlemen,

Unfortunately, the last few months have not brought more stability in Kosovo and Metohija and the situation in the Province is not exactly as presented in the report. Unilateral moves of Pristina continue to consciously and systematically deepen ethnic differences, causing discrimination against the non-Albanian population. To our knowledge, 105 ethnically motivated attacks have been recorded since the beginning of this year. In addition, Pristina is actively working on administrative and bureaucratic obstacles, by taking measures that were not agreed upon in the dialogue as the basic mechanism for negotiations and reaching solutions between Belgrade and Pristina. Pristina’s approach is problematic in many ways. This irresponsible conduct of Pristina is consciously sabotaging the efforts not only of Belgrade, but also of the EU and other involved parties of the international community, with the clear intention of achieving two goals - the first being to avoid the implementation of assumed commitments. The second, the ultimate and far more alarming goal is the intimidation, marginalization and persecution of Serbs.

In all previous statements before this this distinguished body, Pristina focused on what happened in the past while failing to mention, which is painful to witness, how non-Albanians in Kosovo and Metohija live today. Serbs are still intimidated in different ways, forced to leave their homes, villages and cities. Those displaced are discouraged from returning to where they were born and lived their lives. 
The provisional institutions work systematically to remove and erase as much as possible of the cultural and national diversity that is left. At the same time, Pristina is consciously fueling inter-ethnic tensions using all available methods. 

Attending religious celebrations seems to be a crime in Kosovo and Methohija. It is the case of Nikola Nedeljković who was arrested for allegedly "inciting ethnic hatred and intolerance", but actually his imprisonment was for attending the St. Vitus Day (Vidovdan) celebration. 

Nikola was sentenced to eight months in prison without any material evidence. On the other hand, let me remind you that even to this day there is not a single perpetrator held legally accountable for the more than 1,000 Serbs killed since 1999. Due to planned intimidation, almost all towns and villages in Kosovo and Metohija are ethnically cleansed. Representatives of Pristina are ignoring the suffering, insulting the open wounds of the Serbs who had to leave their ancestral homes, and I underline, there are more than 200,000 of them. Such conduct has not change for last 23 years and is in complete opposite to the democratic values and principles that the provisional institutions of self-government often promote in their statements. 

Therefore, I consider it necessary to emphasize that the true political will of the involved international actors and Pristina is necessary in order to create the conditions for the beginning of the end of discrimination on a national basis and common life in the Province.
Esteemed members of the Security Council, I would like to draw your attention to the rigid, problematic and extremely irresponsible conduct of the other negotiating party within the dialogue. In achieving the above-mentioned goals, Pristina applies the so-called policy of reciprocity, a well-thought-out, malicious strategy that, unfortunately, was not constructed independently. By continuously insisting on mutual recognition as a central part of the dialogue, the so-called policy of reciprocity demonstrates the essential unwillingness of the current political leadership of Pristina to find any compromise solution. Let me remind you that the talks between Belgrade and Pristina did not start with last elections in Pristina, but have been in progress for 11 years since the technical dialogue started (8 March 2011). Therefore, we assess as inadmissible attempts to disregard the current format of the dialogue, and annul the agreements only because they are not to the liking of the current political factors. It is unacceptable that the current geopolitical circumstances are being used to simply erase what has been painstakingly worked on for years. Belgrade, I underline, was institutionally involved in the dialogue from the very beginning, while the commitment of the other side has varied and continues to vary depending on the political option that is in power.

The harsher political rhetoric and narrative of the current leadership of the provisional institutions of self-government in Pristina are accompanied by concrete destabilizing steps. In the reporting period, measures on license plates were imposed, disguised as attempts at alleged integration into society. 
Let me remind you again, there was no agreement on such measures in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. I believe, ladies and gentlemen, that even today we will hear from the representative of Pristina that their side has fulfilled all obligations, but the decision on re-registration of license plates shows that Pristina is not only failing to fulfill what has been agreed upon, but it nullifies the results of the dialogue, creating a new crisis all over again. The effect of such forcibly imposed measures is best illustrated by the fact that since the decision was made a single-digit number of re-registered vehicles with Serbian license plates has been recorded, of which only two are Serbs from the north of Kosovo and Metohija. This is another indicator that Pristina does not enjoy full support, but that, on the other hand, it continuously provokes the natural reaction of the Serbian population, which cannot endlessly be subject to the arbitrariness of temporary institutions.

I believe that even today we will hear already known narrative of representatives from Pristina who try to present every reaction of the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija as an activity organized by Belgrade in alleged attempts at destabilization. Such claims are simply not true. Serbia, for its part, cannot in any way contain the revolt present among the non-Albanian population of Kosovo and Metohija. It is an undeniable fact that citizens' protests represent a voice against many years of institutional violence and the deprivation of rights of the non-Albanian population, which, in this case, is denied the right to peaceful enjoyment of private property acquired in a legal manner. 
Pristina does not cease in its attempts to confiscate property, and, as is well-known, one of the targets is the Serbian Orthodox Church. By calling into question the return of property to the Dečani Monaster Pristina paradoxically does not execute the decisions of its own so-called Constitutional Court.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I thought for a long time how to best illustrate the true picture of everyday life of the non-Albanian population in Kosovo and Metohija. I will mention only some of the facts. Numerous ethnically motivated incidents, hate speech, intimidation, violations of the right to a fair trial, threats to the right to freedom of movement and religious rights, desecration of churches and graves were recorded in the last reporting period as well. The frequent attacks on the sites of the Serbian Orthodox Church are also unacceptable, and especially the humiliating attitude towards the Serbian cultural and spiritual heritage, including the 4 monuments that have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Numerous administrative and technical barriers are imposed on priests and monastic communities, making it difficult and even impossible for them to survive on church properties.

When it comes to civil rights, try to imagine that the basic political and civil right to vote has been taken away from you. 

This is precisely what the Serbs in the Province have experienced along with frequent intimidation and violent incursions of the ROSU special forces, which are an instrument for the implementation of Pristina's goals under the pretext of allegedly fighting crime. 

In December last year Bratislav Nikolić the president of municipality of Štrpce has been detained, as suspected of the organized crime and corruption - still not charged, kept in detention unit in Podujevo, only for the reason to make additional and final pressure on the Serbian community living in the enclave of Štrpce. How can this be justified as the fight against crime when special forces are used to raid village festivals, schools and kidnap drivers of ambulance transporting infusion containers and medicines? What are the motives behind and how can one rationalize these actions? Just try to imagine and put yourself in the shoes of Ms. Dragica Gašić, the only Serbian returnee in Djakovica. Imagine that you are still not allowed to buy bread because of your origin and nationality, because you live in a municipality that the local Albanians proudly consider forbidden to non-Albanians. Imagine that as many as eleven Albanian civil society organizations demand your expulsion, as well as a ban on any non-Albanian ever returning to that town. Then you will realize the level of intimidation that Serb returnees are facing. It will be clear to you why the percentage of returnees is below 2% and why it is still one of the lowest in the world. Let me pose a question - are these the characteristics of a society that presents itself to the world as a fully fledged democracy and a factor of stability in the region?

We are aware that the dialogue has a wider dimension and that it can affect the situation in the entire region. 

This is reflected in every statement given by Serbian officials, including the President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić. "It is better to negotiate for a hundred years than to fight for a day" are the words of our President that best describe the policy of peace, reconciliation, and regional cooperation pursued by the Serbian leadership, which is guided by the vision of building a common and prosperous future of the Balkans.

I believe that it is a duty of today's leaders to create a clear common vision for the future generations. Such a vision was shown by the leaders of Belgrade, Skoplje and Tirana by creating Open Balkan, an initiative from the region for the region, which is already producing concrete results. Serbia has on several occasions reached out to Pristina inviting it to join this initiative. We counted on an awareness of the importance of economic connectivity and progress for the benefit of the citizens of the entire Balkans. However, our invitation was not met with understating from the other side. 

Ladies and gentlemen, 

We categorically reject Pristina's argumentation regarding the alleged unconstitutionality of the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities. It is clear that Pristina's attitude towards this obligation reflects its attitude towards the Serbian people in the Province. It also indicates that Pristina is against Serbian people being organized as an ethnic community and thus exercising their collective rights. 
The aim of their approach, as a preferred model, is a community without Serbs, such as those in Pristina, Djakovica or Pec, or some similar localities in the Province. For our side, it is unacceptable that Pristina has refused to fulfil its obligations and discuss the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities for as much as 3,470 days but I assure you that, regardless of this fact, Serbia will not give up on its efforts to find a compromise solution for the current situation.

I will remind you that the representatives of Pristina, although they often repeat in their statements that the case of the so-called Kosovo is a fait accompli, continue not to be recognized by the majority of UN member states for 14 years now. If the so-called Kosovo's independence is a reality, how come that we have the dialogue? And how come that Belgrade is faced with increasing pressures as regards the need for mutual recognition? What the current political leadership of Pristina refuses to accept is that Belgrade cannot be left out in the search for a final solution. The same also applies to the case of the increasingly frequent indications about Pristina's upcoming membership in international organizations. Will these moves help to create the necessary atmosphere for dialogue? Are we, in this way, rewarding Pristina's destructive behaviour and refusal of dialogue? Our view is that the attempts of the so-called Kosovo to join international organizations are an unacceptable act and Serbia will work decisively against such steps.

During the last session in April this year, we could hear the calls of some members of the UN Security Council to reduce and even terminate UNMIK, with the explanation that Pristina has its own functional institutions. However, the circumstances I have presented to you and the situation on the ground remind us again that international presence in our southern province is still necessary. In this regard, we support the efforts made by UNMIK, KFOR, EULEX and OMIK within their mandates. The Serbian and other non-Albanian population in Kosovo and Metohija has the highest confidence in the international presence and considers it a guarantor of security, which additionally confirms that international missions need to remain engaged in an undiminished scope and capacity in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

In conclusion,
I would like to point out that lately in all international forums we keep hearing calls for respect of the principles of the UN. We support the territorial integrity of all UN member states. But, what about Serbia? I would like to ask the esteemed members of this distinguished body whether the need to implement the principles of the UN Charter applies only to some or all of its members? As a country that consistently respects international law and still suffers the consequences of it being violated, we believe that the UN Charter and international law, including the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states, should be respected by all and apply indiscriminately to all UN member states. 

Ladies and gentleman,

It was this body that more than two decades ago adopted Resolution 1244, which confirmed the territorial integrity of Serbia. This fact did not prevent certain countries from recognizing the so-called “Kosovo” and thus violating the UN principles, but also the resolution that they adopted, by adjusting international law to their interests and goals. Precisely because of this, the more and more frequent mentioning of the case of "Kosovo" is an indication that the precedent made opened a Pandora's box, because the strength of each principle rests on its full and universal application and unconditional adherence.

You will notice that I posed a lot of questions in my statement and I express hope that today we will hear answers to at least some of them from you, esteemed members of the UN Security Council and representatives of Pristina, because the inhabitants of Kosovo and Metohija, of any nationality, whether they are Serbs or Albanians deserve it.

All the inhabitants of Kosovo and Metohija have every right to expect an improvement in the atmosphere and the reduction of tensions on the ethnic level, which are a prerequisite for a normal life. For such a step to be made, we need constructiveness, which is not lacking on the Serbian side, genuine support of international actors. I emphasize that Serbia has always been and remains deeply committed to finding a sustainable solution by peaceful means, for the sake of peace, stability and a common future.

Thank you.


Print version
Events
Commemoration of the victims of the NATO aggression against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Twentieth anniversary of the pogrom against the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija
Interview of Ambassador Branimir Filipović for Demostat
Interview of Ambassador Branimir Filipović for European Western Balkans
State Secretary Starović at Conference “Military Neutrality Concept and Serbia-NATO Relations”
Military Partnership Expert Staff Meeting with Serbia
Expert Staff Talks
Meeting with NDC Commandant
Visit from NATO Defense College delegation to Serbia
CBRN Center from Kruševac represented the Serbian Armed Forces at the NATO HQ during the annual PTEC Marketplace
Republic of Serbia – Candidate for the Election to the Executive Board of UNESCO 2023-2027
KFOR Commander's Farewell Visit
Meeting with the NATO Secretary General
Chief of General Staff Meets with KFOR Commander
Meeting with Chief of NATO Military Liaison Office
State Secretary Starović at 18th NATO Conference on Weapons of Mass Destruction, Arms Control, Disarmament and WMD Non-Proliferation
Counter-IED Training
Chief of General Staff Meets with KFOR Commander
Visit from Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence
Meeting between State Secretary Starović and NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Operations Burcu San
Minister Dačić with NATO Deputy Assistant SG for Operations
Meeting between Assistant Minister Bandić and NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General
Minister Dačić with the NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General
State Secretary Starović meets with Chief of NATO Military Liaison Office
FDPM and FM Ivica Dačić with the Commander of Allied Joint Force Command, Naples, Italy
01.12.2022. – Staff Talks with Delegation of Joint Force Command in Naples
20.11.2022. – NATO Charity Bazaar
15.11.2022. – Serbia at Partnership Training and Education Centres Marketplace
09.11.2022. – Meeting between Minister Vučević and NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General
09.11.2022. – First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Dačić met with Deputy Assistant Secretary General of NATO
09.11.2022. – Scientific cooperation and discussion regarding DEXTER project
27.10.2022 – Visit by Chair of NATO Military Committee
27.10.2022 – Chair of NATO Military Committee visiting Serbia
28. Oct 2022 - First DPM and FM Ivica Dačić with the Chair of the NATO Military Committee
27 Oct 2022 – Assistant Minister Ambassador Dijana Ivančić visited the NATO HQ in Brussels
18. Oct 2022. --- Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Nikola Selaković at the meeting of the UN Security Council on the report on the work of UNMIK
11 May 2022 --- 11th Advanced Security and Defence Studies class on study visit to Brussels
11 May 2022 --- Selaković: Serbia is actively involved in combating terrorism, radicalism and extremism
15 February 2022 --- The Republic of Serbia celebrates Sretenje - Statehood Day
7 February 2022 - Belgrade to get Centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution
15 November 2021 - Serbia responsible, reliable partner of NATO
12 November 2021 - UNESCO’s role extremely important for preservation of Serbian heritage in Kosovo and Metohija
02 November 2021 - Address of the President of the Republic of Serbia at the United Nations climate change conference COP26 held in Glasgow
15 October 2021 - Selaković in UNSC: Dialogue and the implementation of the agreements reached are the only right way to resolve all open issues
25 September 2021 - Selaković in New York with 28 foreign ministers on economic successes of Serbia and K&M situation
26 September 2021 - Telephone conversation of President Vučić and General Secretary of NATO
25 September 2021 - Pristina seriously jeopardised regional stability
5 August 2021 - Marking the Remembrance Day of all Serbs who died and were expelled in the armed operation "Storm"
22 July 2021 - President Vučić: We have decided – our goal is the EU, but China is an important partner
20 July 2021 - Serbia has achieved great success in the field of digitalization
09. June 2021. - Address by the President of the Republic of Serbia at the session of the United Nations Security Council
20 May 2021 - Minister Selaković presented the new e-Consulate service
17th May 2021 - President Vučić meets NATO Secretary-General
22nd April 2021 - President Vučić talked via a video link with representatives of the Atlantic Council
21st April 2021 - President Vučić met via video link with representatives of the IMF delegation
20th April 2021 - Meeting with the World Health Organization Regional Director for Europe
13 April 2021 - Selakovic: Political extremism of Albanians in Kosovo and Metohija is becoming stronger
24 March 2021 - Marking the Day of Remembrance of the victims of the NATO aggression
17.03.2021. - Commemorating Remembrance Day of 17 March 2004 - Pogrom in Kosovo and Metohija
The Republic of Serbia in the Month of Francophonie
Selakovic: Fight against all forms of crime is a priority of the Serbian Government
Meeting of the Ambassador Filipović and Brigadier General Bandić with the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee Chief Air Marshal Stuart Pinsch
Virtual briefing for high-ranking officials of the Republic of Serbia
Metropolitan Porfirije of Zagreb and Ljubljana elected as the new Patriarch of Serbia
President Vucic: Serbia is ready for dialogue on Kosovo and Metohija, but will refuse being humiliated
Minister Selakovic speaks for Politika: The year of rejuvenation of Serbian diplomacy
Ambassador Branimir Filipovic meets with NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy
Ambassador Branimir Filipović meets with NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană
Meeting with the Commander of the Allied Joint Force Command in Naples
President Vucic: Serbia is the first in Europe in terms of growth
Minister Selakovic: New ambassadors will be appointed this year, but the goals remain the same
President Vucic: Serbia to remain on the course of a winning policy of stability
Ambassador Branimir Filipović presented his credentials to NATO Secretary General
Meeting of Ambassador Filipović with NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General
Brochure "SERBIA - Emerging tech development hub"
Serbian Government Adopts New IPAP with NATO
Delegation of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia visits NATO HQ
Candidacy of the Republic of Serbia for re-election to the UNESCO Executive Council
Scientific cooperation with NATO
Jubilee 100th Rose-Roth Seminar - Parliamentary Assembly (PA) of NATO
Ambassador receives students of the 8th class of the High Security and Defense Studies
Participation of Ambassador M. Udovički at 60th anniversary of NATO SPS Programme
SEEGROUP meeting in Brussels devoted to exercise "Srbija 2018"
Ambassador Filipovic confers with NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General James Appathurai
SEEGROUP delegation visited the Republic of Serbia
Successful international field exercise for managing the consequences of emergency situations "SRBIJA 2018"
Ambassador Udovicki met with Serbian National Assembly delegation
Advanced Security and Defence Studies participants study visit to Brussels
Ambassador Filipovic meetings in NATO HQ
Secretary General: NATO is committed to building a strong partnership with Serbia
President Vučić with NATO DSG Rose Gottemoeller
Minister of Defence meets NATO Deputy Secretary General
Keeping peace common interest of Serbia, NATO
Serbia continues its military neutrality policy
NATO-funded Serbian researchers develop biofuel from algae
Deputy Secretary General stresses value of NATO-Serbia partnership in visit to Belgrade
Serbia’s partnership with NATO considerably improved
Statement by the NATO Secretary General on the Kosovo Security Force (KSF)
Advanced Security and Defence Studies participants study visit to Brussels
Statement by the NATO Secretary General on the explosions at the Kragujevac Military Facility
Vučić meets with NATO SG Stoltenberg in Davos
KFOR conducts medical evacuation of newborn baby from Pristina to Belgrade
Serbia regional factor of stability
NATO respects Serbia's military neutrality
Discussions on the implementation of Serbia - NATO Individual Partnership Action Plan in Brussels
INVITATION TO TENDER FOR THE PROVISION OF REAL ESTATE SALES
Security in Western Balkans common interest of Serbia and NATO
Demilitarization of surplus ordnance
Fair partner relations of Serbia, NATO
Consultations at NATO Headquarters
MFA officials meet with NATO PA delegation
Serbia will not alter its policy of military neutrality
Serbia militarily neutral, reliable partner of NATO
Chairman of the NATO Military Committee visits Serbia
KFOR has crucial role in protecting Serbian people in Kosovo-Metohija
Cooperation with NATO in Serbia's interest
Ministers Dačić and Gašić meeting with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg
Further development of cooperation with NATO respecting military neutrality
NATO Secretary General arrives in Belgrade
SEEGROUP members on a visit to Serbia
Serbian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff met with new KFOR Commander
Minister of Defence Bratislav Gasic visits NATO Joint Force Command in Naples
SEEGROUP discussed the Fight against terrorism and Foreign Fighters Phenomenon in the Western Balkans
Serbia in favour of developping cooperation with NATO through Partnership for Peace
Gasic and Stamatopoulos about Serbia's cooperation with NATO
Chief of General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces met with KFOR Commander
SEEGROUP Panel Discussion on Strategic Communication and Public Diplomacy
Chief of General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces at the meeting of the NATO Military Committee
Chairman on the NATO Military Committee visits Serbia
Ministers Dačić and Gašić visit NATO headquarters in Brussels
Serbia’s OSCE Chairmanship activities presented to SEEGROUP
Commander JFC Naples, Admiral Mark Ferguson, visits Serbia
Meeting between Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg
Minister Dacic welcomed the adoption of IPAP between the Republic of Serbia and NATO
NATO Secretary General J.Stoltenberg welcomed the adoption of IPAP between the Republic of Serbia and NATO
Serbian Mission to NATO takes over chairmanship of SEEGROUP in 2015