Citizens of Serbia would rather accept to live in poverty “than have someone recognize Kosovo on their behalf,” Tomislav Nikolic has said.
The Serbian president made the statement on Monday as he was meeting with German Ambassador Heinz Wilhelm, adding that this was true despite the fact Serbia’s entry into the European Union was “a matter of survival.”
“Serbia is committed to stabilization and peace in the region,” Nikolic said, and pointed out that by raising the talks with Pristina to the highest level “and based on a platform that was the basis for the signing of the Brussels agreement, a reversal was made in the direction of comprehensive political and economic stability.”
The Serbian president added that he was “very much affected” by “the claim of the German ambassador” reported by a tabloid, which was “contrary to his statements made in previous days.”
“There’s probably been a misunderstanding due to a lack of communication and that surprised me very much, because I think you are very measured in your statements,” Nikolic said to the diplomat.
“You are right that at this time no one seeks a recognition of Kosovo from Serbia, but in these platitudes, little by little we are doing things that will lead to a de facto recognition. I was not elected by citizens to tell fairy-tales, but to tell the truth,” stressed the president.
Nikolic then added that “his career does not depend on one statement” and that he was “not in need of scoring political points,” as well as that he “wanted to put before the people his own vision of what Belgrade should sign with Pristina.”
“I do not need political marketing, but a solution to the problem,” said Nikolic.
The president stated that while Serbia joining the EU was “a matter of survival”, he was confident that citizens of Serbia would rather accept to live in poverty “than have someone recognize Kosovo on their behalf.”
“The question is why the European Union is seeking, as a condition for entry, the signing of a binding agreement with Kosovo – if it is not asking for recognition, and would we sign this contract with an independent state or with a substantial autonomy, and what if Pristina would not agree?,” asked the president.
The German ambassador thanked Nikolic for receiving him today and said his intention was “not to confront him.”
“Whatever I may have said on the occasion of your statement, would have been misinterpreted,” Wilhelm was quoted as saying.
He pointed out that his statement was “also not positively received in Kosovo,” as he argued that Germany “will not seek Serbia’s recognition of Kosovo.”
“We are talking about normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, and everyone has their own interpretation of what normalization means. It is important to find a solution for good neighborly life, but I do not know what this solution should look like,” said Wilhelm.
The German ambassador expressed his belief that a demand for Serbia to recognize Kosovo would prevent further negotiations with Pristina.
“At this time it is not a requirement, but no one knows what will happen in 10 or 15 years,” concluded the diplomat.
Earlier in the day, the Beta news agency reported that Nikolic and Wilhelm “apparently have overcome their differences.”
