Selaković: Belgrade is committed to dialogue and we will try to show that we are a credible partner

In a statement for TV Pink, Selaković said that there is no better and more reasonable way for us to solve the problem of Kosovo and Metohija than dialogue, and that we must try to preserve it.

Selaković said that the Belgrade delegation came seriously prepared, asking for the previously undertaken obligations to be fulfilled. He reminded that Belgrade fulfilled everything that was up to us, while Pristina did not do that.

"We saw the appearance of people who don't care about dialogue at all, who are trying to undermine the dialogue process, to completely disavow everything that was agreed upon until now with alleged proposals", Selaković pointed out, adding that the Pristina delegation was only interested in Serbia recognizing the so-called "Kosovo" and that President Vučić clearly and unequivocally told them that it would never happen.

The Minister underlined that President Vučić was superbly prepared and represented our interests in the best possible way in such a difficult situation.

According to the Minister, the constructiveness and fair approach of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and Special Representative Miroslav Lajčák was really commendable and at a good level, as they were extremely correct and constructive at the Belgrade-Pristina meeting.

"When people from the EU tell them – well, your parliament ratified the agreement – they answer that it was in 2013 and that it doesn't apply now. One could see, through their so-called proposals, that they clearly came with the goal of undermining the whole process, the whole dialogue", states the head of Serbian diplomacy.

Selaković also referred to the excellent reaction of the Prime Minister to the provocation of Pristina at the meeting in Tirana.

"Serbia is led by people who care about each of our people in Kosovo and Metohija, each of our shrines, and we are fighting everywhere to protect our interests. The best way is dialogue, and that is why we are committed to it and we will try to show how credible we are as a partner and how serious we are in those talks", the Minister emphasized.

Also, Selaković said that our side respects the role of President Joe Biden and the role of the United States in the dialogue with Pristina, but he also emphasized that the current dialogue is primarily conducted under the auspices of the European Union.

The Minister said that in the coming period, a large number of his visits abroad was planned, as well as visits of his colleagues to Serbia.

"Italian Foreign Minister Luigi di Maio will visit Serbia on Monday, and this Friday I will meet with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Alexander Grushko in Belgrade", Selaković said. The minister also said that his visits to Egypt and Azerbaijan were planned.

The Minister assessed his recent visit to Poland as very useful.

"Poland is an example of a successful accession to the European Union", said Minister Selaković.

He also conveyed the positive impressions of his Polish colleague Zbigniew Rau, who was fascinated by the explanation of the way in which Serbia has carried out financial consolidation in recent years. He also mentioned the excellent results of Serbia in vaccination and the fight against COVID.

Speaking about the neighbors, Minister Selaković gave positive assessments about the relations with Hungary, pointing out the excellent personal relations between President Aleksandar Vučić and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. He especially emphasized the roles of the Hungarian and Serbian national minorities in the two countries, calling them ties that strengthen the relations between Serbia and Hungary.

Speaking about the Czech President Zeman and his recent public apology for the Czech Republic's participation in the bombing of FR Yugoslavia in 1999, Selaković emphasized that President Zeman is our great friend and brother of Serbia and the Serbian people.

The Minister praised the relations with neighboring countries, including Bulgaria, Romania, Northern Macedonia, as well as Albania, with which we often had poor communication, even though it is our neighboring country. He reminded that he was the first Minister of Justice to visit Albania in the last hundred years, and that relations with Albania are far better today than before, despite certain open issues. Selaković underlined the importance of the "mini Schengen" and the role of Serbia in the process of connecting and fighting regional challenges.

The Minister ended his visit by saying that peace and stability are of key importance and significance for the region.