The President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, met with the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General and the Head of the UN Mission in Kosovo and Metohija, Zahir Tanin today, with whom he discussed the current political and security situation in Kosovo and Metohija.

President Vučić emphasized the importance of communication with UNMIK and added that Serbia is always ready to make additional efforts in order to further develop models of exchange of opinions with the UN Mission in Kosovo and Metohija. In that context, UNMIK chief Zahir Tanin thanked President Vučić for finding time for telephone contacts even in the difficult conditions during the pandemic regarding current events in the southern Serbian province.

President Vučić emphasized that the last move of Pristina and the deployment of ROSU members at the administrative crossings of Jarinje and Brnjak, represents a new provocative and unilateral measure after the attempt to form the so-called "Kosovo" armed forces and the introduction of taxes on Serbian goods, which causes great concern to Serbia for the future of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija.

The President especially emphasized that Serbia, as always, will continue its efforts to preserve peace and stability, but that the situation also depends on the Pristina side, which should refrain from constant unilateral moves that significantly worsen the situation in Kosovo and Metohija.

President Vučić pointed out that regular contacts with UNMIK representatives are important for Serbia because of the continuity of consideration of the issue of Kosovo and Metohija, as well as because of regular informing on the political and security situation, which is subject to unnecessary rise of tensions due to Pristina's moves.

"The presence of the UN, i.e., UNMIK, as well as other international missions in Kosovo and Metohija, is more than necessary as a guarantee of the security of the Serbian people", said President Vučić, adding that UN Security Council Resolution 1244 is and should be the legal framework for the international security presence in Kosovo and Metohija.

The head of the UN Mission in Kosovo and Metohija emphasized that the mandate of UNMIK and KFOR was clear, and that the scope and role of these missions were precisely defined and that both former and current UN Secretaries General, Ban Ki-moon and António Guterres, were firmly committed from the beginning to carrying out the assigned missions in accordance with all the decisions of the United Nations.

President Vučić asked the head of UNMIK, Tanin, to use his influence and warn Pristina that it increases tensions with its unilateral and provocative measures and endangers peace and stability in the region. He expressed concern over the growing number of incidents and reiterated that Serbia is committed to improving regional co-operation, and has not violated any provision of the Brussels Agreement, Resolution 1244 or the Military-Technical Agreement, or CEFTA.

The interlocutors agreed that the presence of the UN Mission is very important for maintaining stability in Kosovo and Metohija, both through the consistent implementation of UN Resolution 1244, and through the commitment to implement the agreements reached within the Brussels Dialogue.

The UNMIK chief pointed out the necessity of continuing the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, as well as the importance of all efforts towards constructive regional cooperation.


Source/Photo: www.predsednik.rs