“If we estimate that we cannot achieve the basic interests and that we cannot change what is the most important for us, we will certainly leave the government. But let’s give these people a chance and let’s see if they are sincere when they say that they want Serbs in Kosovo”, said Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister Branimir Stojanovic.
When asked whether he would deal with the issue of northern Kosovo, Stojanovic said that he had never shared Kosovo on the north and south and that it is unnatural division that has been created. “The challenges are different, and we are here to solve these challenges, with the support of the Government of Serbia, because there is no other way,” stressed Stojanovic.
He recalled that there were two ministers from the north of Kosovo and Metohija, and that it is very important for the Serbs to directly fight for their interests. “The most important political issues should be left to those who are able to deal with them, and that is certainly Belgrade, as a representative of the Serbian people wherever they live” said Stojanovic.
When asked if there are disagreements among the Serbs in Kosovo’s parliament and government, Stojanovic said that there are different opinions, but the most important thing is that everybody is having the same opinion when it comes to key topics. As he added, “the passions must be put aside” because, “if in the next few years position of Serbs do not progress their survival south of the Iber/Ibar river is brought in question.”
When asked whether the Serb representatives in the Kosovo Parliament will support the establishment of the Kosovo army, Stojanovic said that it was not discussed and that we should first see what exactly it means. “It is a problem that is far beyond decisions of institutions in Pristina. It is a regional issue and we will see which opinion the EU will have about it… The final decision whether we will support something like that ‘is very much on a long stick,’” said Stojanovic and added that it would not be a surprise if no one supports it.
