Future of Belgrade-Pristina dialogue is very much uncertain because it is not known what the further development of the situation in Kosovo and Metohija would look like, Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Ivica Dacic assessed, B92 reports.
He added that at the end of August new visits by international officials to Serbia might be expected, new initiatives and new assessments of the situation in Kosovo. He repeated the US does not want to exert pressure on Serbia, because, as he said, the US knows the problem is not in Belgrade but rather in Pristina.
“National Security Adviser to the US President Trump, told me this in a meeting that was exceptional. This was a major change in the stance of the USA,” Dacic told TV Pink.
He underlined that great powers hardly change their strategic orientations, noting that so-called “auto-pilot” policy inflicted major damage to the American interests in the region.
He noted that France and President Emmanuel Macron also want to get involved in resolving the Kosovo issue, adding that the visit of President Macron to Serbia was extraordinary.
Speaking about Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Dacic said that pressure is exerted upon Serbia to be constructive, to stop lobbying for de-recognitions of Kosovo, to stop opposing membership of Kosovo in the international organizations, while at the same time Pristina brags about establishing diplomatic relations with Antigua and Barbuda.
“If they want that way, they would have our reaction tomorrow or the day after. Our restraint has come to an end, we continue to work on retracting recognitions of Kosovo,” Dacic said.
Asked about a recent meeting with Serbia’s ambassadors in Portugal, Austria, Nigeria, Albania and Council of Europe, Dacic responded the situation and relation of these countries and institutions towards Serbia and its national interests were analyzed and guidance were given to ambassadors in this regard,
He mentioned as example the Council of Europe, saying that Pristina “thinks” of membership in this organization, and that is why Serbs needs to prepare for different types of scenarios.
He also noted relations with Nigeria as one of the largest Muslim countries are very important for Serbia, because Nigeria faces the same problems as Serbia.
“Nigeria did not recognize Kosovo but voted for its admission in Interpol. That is why we need to work with them, they have to know what our national interests are, same as with Nicaragua, which did not recognize Kosovo but was abstained during the voting in Interpol,” Dacic explained.
Dacic also said Serbia does not object Pristina’s participation in different initiatives, but in line with earlier made agreement, respectively as status neutral and not as a state.
