Interior Minister Dacic: Serbia can only be strong if we are united, I call for peace

Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija in Belgrade last night; Photo: Tanjug/Amir Hamzagic

Deputy PM and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said last night, ahead of the arrival in Belgrade of a group of Serbs traveling on foot from Kosovo and Metohija to Novi, that it is important to send a message that only if we are united, can Serbia be strong.

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Dacic also appealed on citizens to refrain from any actions that violate the law and not challenge the police, because they are there to preserve public order and peace, as well as the safety of all citizens.

"The issue here is not whether someone expresses their political views or not, as it has been said many times, every public gathering is free. This is only about whether the law is respected and whether public order and peace is respected, that there should be no violence, no attacks on participants in other rallies or on the police," Dacic said last night in front of the Serbian National Assembly.

The minister added said that the most important thing is for Serbia to preserve peace and stability.

"A large number of citizens have gathered here (to welcome the Serbs), there are already several tens of thousands, the precise number will be announced at the end. This is a clear message that we all stand together, that we show solidarity with our people suffering the terror in the province of Kosovo and Metohija, and that Serbia remains firmly and consistently committed to continue its fight for Kosovo and Metohija, i.e. to preserve its territorial integrity and sovereignty," Dacic told TV Prva.

According to him, the Serbs walking from Kosovo and Metohija (to northern Serbia) shows that there is a high degree of awareness among them of the fact it is necessary for all of us stand together in the most difficult moments for the country and the nation.

"I think it's their great symbolic gesture, because they show that despite all the suffering they face, the daily problems, pressure, arrests, the desire (of Pristina) to expel them from Kosovo and Metohija - they believe in the state of Serbia, they trust the state leadership, President Vucic, the government of Serbia," he added.

According to Dacic, the Wednesday gathering in Belgrade sent a message that only together and united can we make Serbia strong.

"A united Serbia is a strong Serbia," concluded Dacic.

The Serbs from Kosovo, who are today walking for the ninth day and will pass over 300 kilometers on foot, are headed for Novi Sad where they will take part in a large rally gathering those opposed to ongoing anti-government blockades and protests.

Among the officials who welcomed the Serbs in Belgrade last night were Serbian National Assembly President Ana Brnabic and ruling SNS party leader and presidential adviser Milos Vucevic.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)