Dacic: Kosovo cannot be topic of “foreign policy trade” (Tanjug, RTS, Danas)
Serbian Foreign Minister, Ivica Dacic said Serbia wishes to reach a compromised solution for Kosovo and Metohija, but this issue cannot be used in foreign policy trade as a condition to enter the EU, Tanjug news agency reported.
Dacic made these remarks in a conference “Training of Political Leaders,” held in Belgrade, adding that dialogue with Pristina is conducted in order to reach an agreement, but it cannot be unilateral, respectively one side gets it all, and the other side nothing. According to him, there is no way one can establish a state without agreement. Dacic argued that Kosovo will not sustain as a state, but would merge with Albania sooner or later. He underlined any state in the world could face what happened to Serbia, and that is why it is important to establish and respect guiding principles. “We are striving because we want a compromise, but they do not want it. It is like a divorce, it cannot be that one side takes it all, and there must be some kind of process and agreement.” Dacic also said many EU and Western world countries recognized Kosovo, but the fact is that many haven’t, therefore one cannot tell this issue is resolved. He reminded about destruction of properties and religious sites in Kosovo and Metohija, adding Serbia because of its history, religion and tradition cannot accept Kosovo as an independent state. “If they set this as a condition to join the EU, then they do not know our people as we would do the opposite.” Dacic also said he expects nothing special would happen till 20th April in regard to the Serbian requests related to ZSO but it is important to “move on.” There is no danger that establishment of ZSO would create some special territory that would jeopardize Kosovo unity, Dacic said, explaining it is about 10 municipalities where Serbs make majority of the population, out of which 4 municipalities in the north make a compact unity, while 6 others are scattered and surrounded by Albanians, Danas daily reported.