"We've shown elites we're not toothless Progressives"

"We've shown elites we're not toothless Progressives"

"We have shown the so-called elites, who proclaim us to be 'toothless Progressives (SNS party)' that we have brought culture back to focus, which is extremely important also for the economy," the prime minister said in an interview for Vecernje Novosti.

What she is not happy with is "a lot of time that has been lost on things that were supposed to be done after the year 2000."

In this context, she mentioned that "electronic versions of vital records had not been created for seven years; once the school reform started it was realized that 70 percent of buildings were not registered, while the Faculty of Philosophy still has squat toilets."

As for the criticism that she was too concerned with digitization and thus neglecting the traditional economy, Brnabic said that "successful countries are doing these two things in parallel, and winners understand the trends and go to meet them."

Speaking about resolving the Kosovo issue, the prime minister said there was no deadline to reach a compromise with Kosovo Albanians and sign a legally binding agreement between Belgrade and Pristina, and estimated that President Aleksandar Vucic has taken on a huge burden - to try to resolve the "Kosovo knot" for all future generation.

Brnabic said that she, as the prime minister, but also the whole government, "will stand behind Vucic an will not be populists in that, but will try to ensure that future generations are not left with conflicts and unresolved issues."

Brnabic did not rule out a change in the format of the dialogue, but noted that, if the United States were to join the process, as Pristina is asking, then Russia or China should also be at the table.

Asked what would happen if the nation rejected a future legally binding agreement with Pristina, Brnabic said this "could happen" - but that she also "thinks that people should take responsibility for the future of their children."

"If and when we have some mutually acceptable compromise on the table, first of all acceptable to Serbia, I believe that the people will stand behind their president and government," Brnabic said.

In that context, she said a government reshuffle had been postponed, as it would have been "frivolous" to mention that topic "while we are conducting a serious diplomatic battle" for Kosovo and Metohija.

"Now it is important to demonstrate unity at all times, because there are countries and nations in the world who would like to see a divided and weak Serbia," the prime minister said.