Berlin: Ambassador Janković for “Berliner Zeitung”: We will do everything to protect Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija

Answering the journalist’s question about Serbia’s attitude towards the conflict in Ukraine, Ambassador Janković emphasised that we have good relations with the Russian Federation and that we want to maintain them, but that it is unfair to present Serbia as “Russia's ally in the Ukrainian context,” stating that we have maintained, from the very beginning, that Crimea is part of Ukraine for us, that we have voted twice for the relevant resolutions of the UN General Assembly, that we do not recognise the Donetsk and Luhansk republics – because the territorial integrity of Ukraine was violated, just as the territorial integrity of Serbia was once violated by the NATO attack.

“If altering borders, as in the case of Ukraine, is unacceptable, then we consider it to be a double standard if Serbia is denied this right,” emphasised Ambassador Janković, adding: “What we find very painful in the current discussion about Ukraine is that everyone is talking about territorial integrity and inviolability of borders, and Serbia is the only country whose territory was taken over in a war that was not approved by the UN Security Council. It is offensive to us. It was a gross violation of international law, but some countries that are opposing the Russian operation in Ukraine today approved the violation of international law against Serbia and recognised the independence of Kosovo and Metohija.”

When asked by the journalist about the developments in Kosovo and Metohija, Ambassador Janković referred to the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina and the text of the 2013 Brussels Agreement and emphasised that dialogue is the only way. The imposition of regulations for licence plates has a high potential for escalation, because it would mean that the so-called police from Pristina have the right to confiscate the vehicles of those who do not replace their licence plates.

“Belgrade has done nothing to contribute to the escalation of the situation. On the contrary. President Vučić spent the whole night in negotiations to ensure that the situation remains peaceful.” Ambassador Janković strongly denied that there are any groups of “militant Serbs” organised by Belgrade and stated that tensions are inevitable when people are faced with the threat that the so-called Kosovo police will confiscate their cars. Ambassador Janković pointed out that that Serbia will certainly not allow a new pogrom against the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, such as the one that happened in 2004, and underlined that we will do everything possible to prevent this from happening, primarily through diplomatic channels.

Ambassador Janković stressed out that Pristina refuses to implement the establishment of the Community of Serbian Municipalities, which is foreseen by the Brussels Agreement, and underscored that Pristina only wants recognition from Serbia and nothing else.
“We, on the other hand, want the various problems that exist to be solved in a dialogue.” The establishment of the Community of Serbian Municipalities is crucial for Serbia,” said Ambassador Janković.

She also pointed out that for as long as Albin Kurti has been heading the “government” in Pristina, there is an impression that the dialogue is not a priority, which he has confirmed himself several times, and reminded that since Kurti came to power, the number of incidents against Serbs has increased by 50 percent.

Ms Janković said that the geopolitical context has changed and that we hope that the EU will adopt a strategic approach regarding Serbia’s admission.

“We believe that Germany can contribute to making the EU accession process more efficient, more strategic, and less technical in nature,” said Ambassador Janković.