Vote on Pristina's UNESCO bid expected "around Nov. 9"

Vote on Pristina's UNESCO bid expected "around Nov. 9"

"We will fight to the end. This is the position of the government of Serbia, the prime minister, and the president. Nothing is more important that that," he said during a regular monthly news conference in Belgrade on Sunday, adding that this will be "a big fight with an uncertain outcome."

Dacic, however, expressed optimism that the outcome of the vote at the General Conference of UNESCO will be good for Serbia, reminding there are "many member countries that are small and distant, but whose voices count."

"We are talking with everyone day and night. I am convinced that it will not be as easy for Kosovo as they think, and this will be my favorite thing of all," said the Serbian foreign minister and first deputy prime minister.

Dacic also stated there was "absolutely no possibility" of suspending what has been agreed in Brussels during the EU-sponsored Kosovo talks, and that Belgrade wants clear answer on the position of the European Union on this issue.

"We are very unhappy about the situation in Kosovo in connection with the implementation of the Brussels agreement... What is happening in Pristina now is an unprecedented case," Dacic said.

The foreign minister said that none of the agreements signed either by him or Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic left the possibility of anyone on the level of Belgrade or Pristina being able to suspend what had been agreed.

Dacic indicated that "tolerating Pristina's avoidance to implement its obligation practically puts us all in front of a huge dilemma whether that is being done in an organized and planned way, or if these are unilateral steps undertaken by Pristina."

"We're looking for seriousness in the implementation of the Brussels agreement," he stressed, adding that the basic essence of the agreement is the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO), which, as he noted, is currently suspended.

"When will the decision of the Constitutional Court come, and what if it is negative? This means playing with the stability in the region, same as is Kosovo's application to join UNESCO," he warned.

Belgrade knows, Dacic said, that Europe has a lot of other issues, the migrant crisis above all, "but sees no other possible way for future relations with the EU than the implementation of what has been agreed upon and continued dialogue with Pristina."

"That's why we are looking for clear answers to what the position of the EU on these issues is, and it is as tepid as always. When Serbia needs to be criticized, it is very easy to find someone who will do it, and when harsh words need to be said regarding Pristina, their tongue paralyzes," he noted.

Dacic added that "we do not expect someone to love us, or otherwise - but we are equal participants in this process and they must respect us."

He stressed that Prime Minister Vucic "said clearly that this kind of attitude towards Serbia will not be tolerated and that we will have our answers to these questions if they escalate."

Dacic also said that Serbia expected the European Commission report on progress "early this month" - so that it could open first chapters in its EU membership talks "by the end of the year."