"It's clear to all, Kosovo is no state"

President Boris Tadic said on Saturday that Kosovo is the most important and most sensitive issue faced by Serbia. This is also the principal question of the regional and European security and policy, Tadic added, speaking during the Sretenje 2009 Serbian Army exercise in Novi Sad. "It's clear to all, Kosovo is no state" Serbia will remain firmly committed to defending her legitimate rights in her own territory using legal and diplomatic means instead of force, he continued. "Serbia will never recognize Kosovo's independence and, respecting international law, own legitimate interests, her integrity in Kosovo, will defend in the legal arena, in front of the International Court of Justice." Feb. 17, the day when Kosovo Albanians unilaterally declared independence, "is only a date when an illegal act was made as far as Serbia's concerned, when Pristina illegally declared Kosovo to be a so-called state", the president said. "A year later, it is clear to all that Kosovo is no state. To our fellow citizens in Kosovo, we are sending a message that their state is taking care of them and their interests," Tadic stated. He also noted that tomorrow's Statehood and Army day united the identities of both, "renewing the state and army's deepest bonds from the Serb statehood-making tradition". "Serbia is not a threat to anyone, but a partner and friend, a pillar of regional stability and security, and a democratic European country. Serbia is defending her interests solely by peaceful means and that is a policy we will pursue in the future as well," said Tadic. He said that the country's membership in the EU is a strategic goal, "clearly determined and confirmed in all elections by the citizens' decision". He added that despite the financial economic crisis gripping the world and its influence of international relations, Serbia would "achieve this historic goal". Tadic also said that Serbia must complete the cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, "because that is at present the only political condition for EU membership", Beta reported from Novi Sad. "Serbia must not falter on that road despite the hurdles, skepticism and pusillanimity," the president was also heard saying at during the ceremony on Saturday. Tadic also spoke about the issue of Vojvodina's new statute. Tadic speaks in Novi Sad on Saturday (FoNet)

"It's clear to all, Kosovo is no state"

Serbia will remain firmly committed to defending her legitimate rights in her own territory using legal and diplomatic means instead of force, he continued.

"Serbia will never recognize Kosovo's independence and, respecting international law, own legitimate interests, her integrity in Kosovo, will defend in the legal arena, in front of the International Court of Justice."

Feb. 17, the day when Kosovo Albanians unilaterally declared independence, "is only a date when an illegal act was made as far as Serbia's concerned, when Priština illegally declared Kosovo to be a so-called state", the president said.

"A year later, it is clear to all that Kosovo is no state. To our fellow citizens in Kosovo, we are sending a message that their state is taking care of them and their interests," Tadić stated.

He also noted that tomorrow's Statehood and Army day united the identities of both, "renewing the state and army's deepest bonds from the Serb statehood-making tradition".

"Serbia is not a threat to anyone, but a partner and friend, a pillar of regional stability and security, and a democratic European country. Serbia is defending her interests solely by peaceful means and that is a policy we will pursue in the future as well," said Tadić.

He said that the country's membership in the EU is a strategic goal, "clearly determined and confirmed in all elections by the citizens' decision".

He added that despite the financial economic crisis gripping the world and its influence of international relations, Serbia would "achieve this historic goal".

Tadić also said that Serbia must complete the cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, "because that is at present the only political condition for EU membership", Beta reported from Novi Sad.

"Serbia must not falter on that road despite the hurdles, skepticism and pusillanimity," the president was also heard saying at during the ceremony on Saturday.

Tadić also spoke about the issue of Vojvodina's new statute.