Jeremić: Response was necessary

Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic expressed his satisfaction on Wednesday with the current relations in the region “in view of the heritage of the recent past”. But he added official Belgrade had to respond to the steps taken by some countries which violated Serbia's vital national interests. Jeremic: Response was necessary "We had to respond in order to prevent further destruction of our state interests. We did it cautiously using diplomatic means. I believe that we were successful because neither the economy nor citizens felt anything," Jeremic told the state broadcaster RTS. He pointed out that giving in to any of those steps would result in an "avalanche" of similar moves by other states. "Should we not respond to a move by a country that recognizes Kosovo or establishes diplomatic relations, it would be a signal to all that Serbia had given up the fight. We have to have a clear policy of principle, which has a response to every step that would result in a violation of the state sovereignty and integrity," said Jeremic. T That is why Serbia "responded diplomatically to every move of Podgorica that was aimed at supporting Kosovo," but, at the same time, it made sure the ordinary people did not feel it, observed Jeremic. Jeremic also said that Serbia and Croatia should overcome their differences within their relations and solve them the way France and Germany did it, but that one should know which of the two was “France, and which Germany”. "We want the best of relations with Croatia, but we have a number of open issues and problems," said Jeremic, underscoring that Serbia “has the good will to solve them”.

Jeremić: Response was necessary

"We had to respond in order to prevent further destruction of our state interests. We did it cautiously using diplomatic means. I believe that we were successful because neither the economy nor citizens felt anything," Jeremić told the state broadcaster RTS.

He pointed out that giving in to any of those steps would result in an "avalanche" of similar moves by other states.

"Should we not respond to a move by a country that recognizes Kosovo or establishes diplomatic relations, it would be a signal to all that Serbia had given up the fight. We have to have a clear policy of principle, which has a response to every step that would result in a violation of the state sovereignty and integrity," said Jeremić.

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That is why Serbia "responded diplomatically to every move of Podgorica that was aimed at supporting Kosovo," but, at the same time, it made sure the ordinary people did not feel it, observed Jeremić.

Jeremić also said that Serbia and Croatia should overcome their differences within their relations and solve them the way France and Germany did it, but that one should know which of the two was “France, and which Germany”.

"We want the best of relations with Croatia, but we have a number of open issues and problems," said Jeremić, underscoring that Serbia “has the good will to solve them”.