Minister for Local Government Administration in the Kosovo government, Ljubomir Maric, said in Prizren that progress for Kosovo Serbs is expected to the extent to which there will be understanding, and if their requests are accepted.

“The most important thing is that there is more understanding, not only on the side of colleagues in the government and other Kosovo institutions, but on the side of the general public, which is making a big pressure on us,” said Maric during his visit to the Bishop’s Residence in Prizren on the occasion of the celebration of the Orthodox New Year. He went on to say that institution of the Association/Community of Serb municipalities is meant to protect and unite Serb population in Kosovo and Metohija, and to provide mechanisms for development.

“The Brussels Agreement has provided us with the framework, and now we have to talk about details. The basis for that dialogue is a draft statute, which is being prepared by a special team,” said Maric and added that he expects the statute to be discussed in the following talks. He also said that Serbs have their minimal requests, which are not unrealistic.

Maric addressed and the issue of return of displaced and said that they should be treated in a different manner and that it is not sufficient that only their houses are reconstructed in order for them to return to their homes. “It is about a range of necessary preconditions. Starting from the understanding of majority community, support of governing central structures and of course the creation of economic conditions for their sustainability,” said Maric and added that this is what representatives of Serbs wish to introduce as a new approach in the process of return of the displaced.