Serbian president urges Serbs in Kosovo to respect NATO, EU forces

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Sunday urged Serbs in Kosovo to refrain from provocations and to respect the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) and European Union Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) forces.

Vucic's remarks came in his address to the nation after a meeting of the security council in the capital Belgrade.

''We have received assurances from both EULEX and KFOR that they will not take violent action against the protesters. I hope this is the case. We continue to talk to all parties. We will do our best to maintain peace and stability,'' he said.

Vucic underscored that there should not be any attacks on KFOR and EULEX “because Albanians want to build the whole story on this. Because they have nothing else to show the world.”

According to Vucic, the latest developments are “an attempt by Kosovo to end the ‘Serbian problem’” supported by Pristina and the international community.

"It is about an attempt to end the Serbian problem in Kosovo, in which (Kosovo Prime Minister Albin) Kurti, the authorities in Pristina and a good part of the international community participate,'' he said.

Commenting on a call by the US embassies in Belgrade and Pristina for the removal of barricades in northern towns of Kosovo, Vucic said he understands the message very well but is disappointed.

''They have their child and they are protecting it. They created the Albanian child 20 years ago and finished it 14 years ago. They say that the barricades are a problem. They do not limit the movement of any Albanian. It's a protest...I have a question for our American partners: Which agreements does Pristina respect and which do the Americans respect?''

He said the Serbs have their backs against the wall.

"Today is the most difficult day for me since I have been president. Probably the most difficult night is ahead of me. We are pushed against the wall. It is our duty to call for peace.”

Vucic also urged Kosovo authorities and the international community to respect the Brussels Agreement and the formation of the Community of Serbian Municipalities.

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said earlier that renegotiation of the Brussels Agreement is a red line for Serbia.

“What are our red lines: First, there are no negotiations on what we have already agreed on. Second, there is no recognition of independence, i.e. membership of Kosovo in the United Nations. Third – no physical attacks, i.e. endangering the security of Serbs. These are our red lines. We are ready for peace, but the other side is also needed for that,” he said.

Local media reports say the situation in northern Kosovo is calm but tense.

Serbs in northern towns of Kosovo have been blocking roads following the arrest of a former Serb police officer suspected of involvement in attacks on Kosovo police.

EULEX said that a stun grenade was thrown at one of its armored vehicles Saturday night.

- Tensions between Serbia and Kosovo

Kosovo, predominantly inhabited by Albanians, broke from Serbia in 1999 and declared independence in 2008. But Serbia has not recognized the independence and sees its former province as a part of its territory.

Tensions between the two flared last month when Kosovo attempted to require ethnic Serbs to change their vehicle license plates that date before 1999 to Pristina-issued plates. The decision led ethnic Serbs in Kosovo to withdraw from all central and local institutions.

A snap election was announced in four northern municipalities for Dec. 18 after ethnic Serb representatives resigned from their posts.

But Kosovo has postponed the elections over security concerns, and the vote will now be held next April.

Earlier this week, some election centers were damaged and shooting was heard in those areas, raising fears of an escalation in tensions.

Meanwhile, Vucic said Saturday that Belgrade will formally ask the NATO-led peacekeeping mission in Kosovo to deploy Serbian troops there.