"Use all political and diplomatic means to ensure stability"

"Use all political and diplomatic means to ensure stability"

The session discussed the political and security situation in Serbia and the region, and the state of affairs in Kosovo, especially after the latest initiatives and demands coming from ethnic Albanian there to stop the Brussels dialogue, and form the so-called army of Kosovo.

The Council concluded that the situation in the region is turbulent and complex, and that the state of Serbia has invested a huge effort so that peace and stability are preserved in this part of Europe, as well as for good and friendly relations between different peoples, and ethnic and religious groups to be established.

"Nevertheless, uninfluenced by us, there is a risk of a spread of political conflicts within some countries in the region, which are encouraged both by domestic reasons of political intolerance, and by significant interfering of foreign civilian and military intelligence services," said the statement.

The task of Serbian authorities is not to allow any spillover of political or other conflicts onto the territory of Serbia, to respect the independence of other countries and not to interfere in their internal affairs.

At the same time, the Council obligates national authorities to, in line with their jurisdiction, participate in cooperation with Serbs in the region who are under political pressure from central authorities in some countries of the Western Balkans, while fully respecting those countries' territorial integrity.

The Council also "expressed its concern over the escalation of rhetoric that is noticeable in the activities of the Pristina authorities."

"Of particular concern are initiatives to stop the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, and especially the demand to form the army of Kosovo. The Republic of Serbia strongly and unequivocally demands the continuation of the dialogue in Brussels, respect of international law, (UNSC) Resolution 1244 and the Brussels agreement," said the statement.

The Council has also obligated Serbian authorities to use all political and diplomatic means to oppose a destabilization of the situation in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as the creation of the so-called army of Kosovo, which would "jeopardize the survival of Serbs" in the southern Serbian province.

At the same time, the Council calls on Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija to show "complete" unity with state bodies of the Republic of Serbia and act politically and protect the interests of our people and our state, the statement concluded.

According to announcements ahead of today' meeting, it was dedicated to announcements coming from Pristina about the formation of an army in Kosovo, and to the Kosovo Assembly's request to suspend the dialogue with Belgrade until Ramush Haradinaj has been freed in France.

The meeting was scheduled by Serbian President Tomisav Nikolic last week, and was today also attended by PM Alesksandar Vucic, army chief Ljubisa Dikovic, ministers of defense, justice, and interior affairs, the head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, and a state secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Vucic on Sunday said that he "expects to get information from all departments about what is happening in Kosovo and Metohija and the surroundings."