"World powers demand direct recognition of so-called Kosovo, Belgrade rejects threats and blackmail"

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic today met with a delegation of the Serb Republic (RS), led by Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Milorad Dodik, and RS President Zeljka Cvijanovic.

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The meeting was held in the building of the General Secretariat of the Serbian Presidency in Belgrade, with Prime Minister of Serbia Ana Brnabic, Ministers Nikola Selakovic and Aleksandar Vulin also present. After the meeting President Vucic and Milorad Dodik addressed the public.

The president of Serbia said that these are not easy days for Serbia, especially when it comes to Kosovo and Metohija, and that he spoke about the situation in the country during the meeting and informed RS representatives about it.

"Serbia will never accept threats and blackmail. (Albin) Kurti can try to do something, but I would advise him against that," said the Serbian president.

"I informed our friends from the RS about the problem of Kosovo and it is certain that these are not the days when Serbia should lose its spirit. Talks with (Matthew) Palmer are awaiting me this afternoon, tomorrow with Palmer and (Miroslav) Lajcak, so we'll see how and what we will do next. What I can say now is that our reactions will be very strong, because when someone pushes you against the wall, you have to show both sharpness and strength and show that things can't and won't go like that. I am telling Kurti in advance, there can be no blackmail and he will be treated like any other representative of the provisional (Pristina) institutions," Vucic stressed.

He said that he does not expect an ultimatum in Brussels, because if Belgrade didn't accept one in the White House, there is no reason for anyone to expect it sign something of the kind now.

Photo: Tanjug/Tanja Valic

"It's visible that there is no desire to negotiate in Pristina. If someone thinks that I will agree to recognize the so-called republic of Kosovo, they don't even have to travel to Brussels. That will never happen," the president of Serbia stressed, and pointed out that world powers, the United States, Germany, France, are also seeking direct recognition of so-called Kosovo.

Cvijanovic: We expect Belgrade's support

RS President Zeljka Cvijanovic said on Tuesday that she expected the meeting with the Serbian president to be constructive and for the RS would receive Belgrade's support in fighting for justice, fairness and better life.

Serb member and Chairman of the Presidency of BiH Milorad Dodik said that "due to elementary disrespect of the rule of law in the form of violation of Annex 10" the RS cannot accept the imposition of any person in the role of the High Representative.

Serbia is a signatory to the Dayton peace accords, and thus to Annex 10, which states that only foreign signatories are competent to "seek the appointment of the High Representative."

German diplomat Christian Schmidt has been namd as the new High Representative on May 27, and should take office on August 1.

Previously former High Representative in BiH Valentin Inzko resigned, which was accepted by the PIC Steering Board.

Schmidt is the only candidate and so far all countries, except Russia, have supported his appointment.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)