Quint statement doesn't mention they'll stop lobbying for Kosovo independence: Serbian FM reacts

Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said today that Serbia will continue pursue a policy that results in withdrawals of Kosovo recognitions,  noting that Serbia doesn't want to irritate either Pristina or the international community with this - but to protect its own interests.

The head of Serbian diplomacy said that the Quint countries calling on Belgrade to stop the campaing of withdrawals means that it is real, and that it hurts.

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"They said the withdrawals were not true. Suddenly, it became a condition for Pristina to abolish taxes (on Serbian goods), while Serbia should stop its campaign for withdrawals of recognition. It means it hurts, it means it's true," Dacic told Pink TV.

Dacic said that it turns out, according to the Quint statement, that the Kosovo side has the right to impose taxes because Serbia is campaigning for withdrawals.

"Then why are the taxes also imposed on (goods from) Bosnia and Herzegovina - is it, too, campaigning against recognition (of Kosovo)," Dacic asked.

Photo: Tanjug/Dimitrije Goll

He noted, however, that the Quint's statement should not be given too much importance, as these positions have been repeated on several occasions.

"They are trying to create an artificial balance of responsibility, so they urge both sides to compromise," Dacic said, and asked what else Serbia is supposed to do to reach an agreement.

He stated that the view that Serbia's campaign irritates Pristina is a reflection of the old policy towards Serbia.

"It's their desire for Kosovo to become a member of international organizations and to be recognized by as many states as possible, while Serbia should have no role there, and should welcome it all," said Dacic.

He added that the Quint statement does not say anywhere that countries that form this group - the US, Germany, Italy, the UK, and France - will stop lobbying in favor of Kosovo's independence.

He stated that Serbia's goal is for the number of countries recognizing Kosovo to drop below half of UN member-states, adding that he and Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic are preparing for the vote on Kosovo's membership in Interpol, set for October in Chile.

"We have to prepare to make sure they don't join these international organizations," Dacic said.

Photo: TANJUG/Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Dacic also confirmed that US National Security Advisor John Bolton will not visit Serbia.

He said the visit has been canceled because of Pristina, who is refusing to abolish taxes on goods from Serbia.

Speaking about the upcoming presidential election in the United States, Dacic said that he would not be influencing America's choice - but that things should be "brought down to the terrain of interests."

Responding to reactions to his statement that Serbia has no bigger enemy than former US President Bill Clinton, Dacic said that "no one was as happy as the Serbs to see Donald Trump win he presidential election - because the Serbs can't stand Clinton and Albright."

"A vast majority of Serbs (in the US) voted for Trump in the previous election," Dacic told Pink TV.

He said his message now was that the Serbs should formalize that choice, and that they would surely vote for Trump again.

The minister also said that for the first time in 18 years, the foreign minister of Japan will be visiting Serbia tomorrow.

(Telegraf.rs)