30.09.2021.
Minister Stefanović: "Kurti knows that President Vučić is the major obstacle to putting into effect the idea of the so-called Kosovo’s independence"
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Nebojša Stefanović’s statement:
"In his latest statement, Albin Kurti clearly said that Aleksandar Vučić, as the President of Serbia, is the major obstacle to putting into effect the idea of the so-called Kosovo’s independence, he is the one who most effectively guarantees life to Serbs in the north and on the entire territory of our southern province, and who fights against those who want to take away a part of our territory.
The crisis created by the Pristina institutions controlled by Albin Kurti cannot be covered up by lies because they are the ones who sent armed troops and armoured personnel carriers to the north, they are the ones who completely changed the situation in the field and who actually tried to destabilize not only Kosovo and Metohija, but the entire region using violence.
Calling Serbs criminals, while many of today’s members of the so-called Kosovo police took part in serious crimes committed against Serbs during the terrorist KLA’s operations, is absolute nonsense and a panic reaction to what the whole world sees today - that Albin Kurti’s moves are causing damage to the entire region, that they are the only ones responsible for this crisis, and that the only way to resolve the crisis is to withdraw the so-called Kosovo special forces from the administrative crossings.
Of course, one of the key things that Kurti does not want to talk about is that he has to acknowledge that the Pristina side accepted the Brussels Agreement in 2013, which clearly states the obligation to form the Union of Serbian Municipalities, and that is a clear position of the EU. I would like the EU to advocate adherence to the Brussels Agreement more clearly and firmly, but it is still very clear that Pristina will have to accept what it has committed itself to.
Also, there is no border between Serbia and Kosovo, as Kurti says. It is very clear that there is an administrative boundary and that the United Nations, according to Resolution 1244, administers Kosovo and Metohija, with the help of KFOR, whose mission is to provide security, primarily to Serbs.
And that is why Albin Kurti's claims that the Serbian Armed Forces did something to lead to the escalation of the conflict are a complete lie, because the Serbian Armed Forces did not violate Resolution 1244, the Kumanovo Agreement, the Brussels Agreement, or any other agreement, because they are deployed on the territory of central Serbia, at no time did they enter the territory of Kosovo and Metohija, because we agreed not to by the Kumanovo Agreement. And Kurti will certainly not tell us where our aircraft and helicopters will fly, where our units will be deployed, nor will anyone else but Serbia decide on that.
I do not understand why he said he minded the Russian-made helicopters, since we also have "Airbus" helicopters, so maybe he won’t mind those when they fly over the territory of central Serbia. But, of course, this is nonsense and Kurti’s attempt to reduce the responsibility of his administration and cover up the fact that the armed troops at the administrative crossings are the ones he sent there.
As for democracy on the territory currently governed by the temporary Pristina institutions, the whole world knows that KFOR forces are needed there to guard our churches and to ensure that Serbs can safely go to prayer. Beatings and intimidation have almost become an everyday occurrence for Serbs living in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as people getting arrested for having a different opinion, or for putting up billboards asking for adherence to the Brussels Agreement and the formation of the Union of Serbian Municipalities.
Such behaviour must stop and the European Union, like everyone else, must send a message to Pristina saying that the only way out of this crisis is to return to the situation we had 10 days ago, when they did not threaten with weapons, to return to the position of negotiation. We want to talk, because that alone guarantees the future of our people. Also, we will certainly never tolerate the arrogant behaviour and intimidation of Serbs. The President of Serbia was very clear on that matter. A new pogrom of Serbs, expulsion and killing will never be allowed to anyone, nor will Serbia tolerate that."
