The Bishop of Backa Eparchy and the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) Spokesperson, Irinej Bulovic said that the invitation for internal dialogue on Kosovo and Metohija is „fully appropriate and useful“ expressing belief that the stance of the SOC would be not to offer additional concessions to Pristina, since „the maxim compromise from the Serbian side is already offered,“ Tanjug news agency reported.

Speaking for Radio Belgrade first programme broadcast “Sedmica” Bishop Irinej said that the issue of Kosovo is a “Gordian knot” requiring “essential and nationwide” response.

“That is why, call for internal dialogue is fully appropriate and useful, because never a single group of people, of any kind, being it political, academic or artistic, can always express the stance of a majority. We, the bishops cannot do it either, we cannot claim it on behalf of our faithful ones, let alone for the people as a whole. So, it is good to listen to different voices and opinions,” Bishop Irinej said.

He also assessed the term “internal” as not “the most fortunate one”.

“I would rather say it is about the Serbian-wide dialogue, therefore in this sense both internal and external, it is very important,” he said.

According to Bishop Irinej, any attempt to find a solution, regardless being it in a direction of further concessions, gradual capitulation, or in a direction of defence of our legitimate rights to our territory, has to be based on the stance of the majority of the people.

“It is impossible to make a radical decision (for example, changing the Constitution) or crossing over “the red lines” and to have the majority supporting it. Such solutions would not be sustainable. Therefore, the dialogue is important as it can show what population think,” SOC spokesperson said.