Vucic outlines Serbia's demands, moves regarding Kosovo-Metohija

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Friday outlined Serbia's demands and moves regarding the situation in Kosovo-Metohija, divided into five areas.

In an address to the nation from the Palace of Serbia, Vucic said a global diplomatic campaign would be launched in which he would speak with more than 60 world leaders by end-November to present seven points necessary for progress in the dialogue with Pristina.

"We demand a return to status quo ante by removal of the key consequences of unilateral and uncoordinated actions by the Kurti regime, which is a necessary prerequisite for meaningful progress in the dialogue process," he said.

He said the first of the seven points was "calling and holding of free and democratic local elections in the north of Kosovo-Metohija with participation by the OSCE and EU control."

"Point two is implementation of Article 9 of the First Brussels Agreement through a collective return of Serbs to the KP Regional Directorate North. Point three - a return of Serb judges and prosecutors to judicial positions. Then, point four, a withdrawal of special forces of the so-called Kosovo Police from illegally constructed bases and checkpoints in the north of Kosovo-Metohija, as well as their withdrawal from all institutions that provided vital public and administrative services to citizens between 1999 and their illegal closure in 2024," Vucic said.

He said point five was urgent, undelayed and final establishment of a Community of Serb Municipalities, without any further "political shenanigans and games."

"Because it is clear to us that, for 12 years, it was just a game that was used to buy time, with the aim of the Community of Serb Municipalities never being established and at all Serb rights being abolished in addition to that.

Specifically, this means adoption of a final draft statute of the Community of Serb Municipalities, as envisioned by the rules of procedure on the work of the management team, by democratically elected representatives of the Serb community in the north of Kosovo-Metohija," he added.

"Point six is undelayed implementation of EU and US guarantees of December 28, 2022 and immediate release of all political prisoners arrested by the so-called Kosovo Police for their democratic, civic or political activism - in particular, those arrested for taking part in peaceful protests or for protesting behind barricades.

Point seven is undelayed enablement of unobstructed payment operations and postal services," he said.

He said the demands would be conveyed in upcoming international activities including discussions and special events within the UN and OSCE systems as well as raising awareness within the UN Committee on Human Rights of the violations of the Serbs' human rights.

He said he would meet with more than 60 world leaders by the end of November to inform them of the demands, and added that he had already written letters to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU foreign policy and security chief Josep Borrell and that he would also write to the presidents of China, the US and Russia.