Serbia, Kosovo dialogue led by EU is pointless in recent circumstances: Serbian president

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Sunday said the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue Process is "pointless" unless the detained Kosovo Serbs are released.

Vucic's remarks came at a press conference in the capital Belgrade regarding the ongoing tensions in northern Kosovo.

"Such a conversation is pointless, since it has no meaning because every crisis dialogue is about - come on, Vucic somewhere give in and do something. I have nowhere to give in any further, I would do it for the millionth time, but I have nowhere, I have nothing more to give in and that's it. This conversation is pointless, and whether I'm going to show up or not, whether I should give them that opportunity or not - I will decide on that, it will be our tactical decision," said Vucic.

"I will not talk about anything unless the detained Kosovo Serbs are released. This dialogue is completely meaningless in the circumstances,'' Vucic added.

Tensions have resurfaced following the detention by Kosovo of one of the organizers of an attack on May 29 on NATO's peacekeeping force (KFOR) who were deployed amid Serb unrest over the installation of ethnic Albanian mayors in their area.

Serbs gathered in Northern Mitrovica and tried to prevent the Kosovo police from operating, and three officers were slightly injured in the ensuing clash.

According to Vucic, a "hybrid war" is being waged against Serbia.

"Decisions taken by Western countries allow Kosovo Serbs to be shot and subjected to violence. (Kosovo Prime Minister Albin) Kurti is free to do anything. European Union (EU) and European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) only protects Kosovo, they don't care about the Serbs who are aggrieved,'' said Vucic.

Vucic said that the ongoing dialogue process for the normalization of relations with Kosovo cannot continue with Kurti.

"Kurti wants war at any cost. It creates an environment of constant provocation and conflict. While doing these, he is protected by someone. Then keep talking to him and you'll keep me informed of the outcome,'' said Vucic.

Serbia detained three Kosovo police officers on Wednesday, saying they were "planning an action in Serbia."

Vucic said that he will announce later whether he will attend the meeting hosted by the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in Brussels.

Borrell called on leaders of Serbia and Kosovo to meet in Brussels next week in a bid to ease soaring tensions in the region.

The EU requires Kosovo and Serbia to reach a final agreement and resolve disputes between them in order to progress in their integration with the bloc.

Most UN member states, including the US, UK, France, Germany, and Türkiye, recognized Kosovo as a country separate from its neighbor when Pristina declared independence 15 years ago. But, Belgrade continues to regard it as its territory.​​​​​​​