Djuric to Pristina delegation: If the goal of talks is independence, do not go to Washington

Photo: Tanjug/Dragan Kujundzic

The director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Marko Djuric, told the Pristina side today not to go to Washington for a conversation, which is scheduled at the White House with Belgrade for September 4, if their goal is to talk about independence.

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In that way, he reacted to a statement ny the Deputy Prime Minister in Pristina, Fatmir Ljimaj, who said that talks on independence of so-called Kosovo would be held in Washington.

"I will quote what President Aleksandar Vucic told them. If their goal and intention is to talk about independence of Kosovo and Metohija, it is better not depart on that trip, because they will surely return with empty suitcases and an unfulfilled goal," Djuric told TV Pink.

He stressed that Serbia wants a "constructive" conversation on economic issues, how to help young people on both sides, who do not have jobs, how to open administrative lines and trade without obstacles, how the CEFTA agreement works.

"They can talk about independence with themselves, they should not spend kerosene and time on such conversations ," he stated.

Photo: Tanjug/Sava Radovanovic

Through the conversation with Pristina, as he stated, Belgrade is fighting for the preservation of stability and peace for the people in Kosovo and Metohija and in other parts of Serbia, and President Vucic and the state delegation have invested enormous efforts since 2012.

Through the talks, he says, time was bought for Serbia to be able to strengthen economically, to improve its foreign policy position in the world.

Asked how the EU views the conversation in Washington, he said that he assumes that "they are not enthusiastic."

"Tomorrow, the day after, I expect to talk to (Miroslav) Lajcak. We are expected to continue the technical dialogue in Brussels, which I will lead. We will discuss economic cooperation, the topic of missing and displaced persons in Brussels as well ," he said.

Photo: Tanjug/ MARINA MAKSIMOVIC

He explained that these talks will be used to create conditions for Serbs to return to their homes.

"We will use the opportunity to hear the EU's position on the talks in Washington. Our position is determined by the Resolution of the UN General Assembly from 2010, which set the EU as a mediator in the dialogue on status and political issues," he concluded.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)