"Kosovo is ours as long as we don't give it away"

KURSUMLIJA, PROLOM BANJA President Tomislav Nikolic visited Kursumlija and Prolom Banja on Saturday afternoon to say that Kosovo is an integral part of Serbia - "and shall remain so". "Some can treat this issue differently," he told reporters, "but as long as we don't give it away, nobody can take Kosovo from us." "Kosovo is ours as long as we don't give it away" Commenting on the conditions Serbia was asked to fulfill on its way to the EU, which have been outlined by some German officials in recent days, Nikolic said that other countries, parliaments and governments could voice their positions, but that Kosovo remained a part of Serbia. He added that everyone who represented the people in Serbia would have to sit down and come to an agreement about Serbia's policy and goals. "Kosovo was, is and will be a part of Serbia. Others can see the issue differently, but as long as we refuse to give Kosovo, they cannot take it away from us," Nikolic said in Prolom Banja. While in Kursumlija, Nikolic noted that state would invest in the most undeveloped areas first, because "things in Serbia had to get better and the state would see through the job it had started - putting criminals behind bars and people in factories". After visiting the St. Nicholas Monastery, Nikolic said there were many regions in crisis and Serbia was in a difficult situation, because some cities did not have a single working factory and drought had also devastated the country, but he still believed things would get better. "With complete faith, will and optimism, things will get better one day at a time. Things must get better, we will send criminals behind bars, get people to work in factories and finish the job we have started," said Nikolic. He noted "there could be no eternal love between the people and those in power" and urged the people to judge the government based on its achievements - "if results are lacking, elect someone else". "I know your lives are hard - if they were not, you would not have voted for change in Serbia. I know you expect a lot from all of us and we have to deliver. Serbia had come to a standstill and we got a little bit of air in our lungs because good people from other countries helped us, but we do not want to live from assistance, but from our work," said Nikolic. The president said there were investors interested in Kursumlija, who would enable people in the town to work, support their families and, most importantly, not leave the area. The two municipalities are located in southern part of central Serbia, along the administrative line with Kosovo. "The most important thing is that Serbs live here, you know for how many reasons, and we will invest first in these areas, the areas which are vulnerable," said Nikolic. The visit to Kursumlija was only the start, the president revealed, and said he would continue to tour the country, especially those places that are under threat, while he was at the same time "touring the world, in order to restore severed ties". Nikolic said he would ask the government to "task those who earned a lot of money to take part in the financing and realization of projects for undeveloped regions in Serbia", and mentioned the Toplica District. He added that he wised to see "a new climate in Serbia", such that would "help the poor": "I have nothing against the rich, I wish there were many people in Serbia who were rich, but I am fighting against poverty in Serbia, for everyone to have a job, for children to be born..." Nikolic visited the Monastery of St. Nicholas in Kursumlija, one of the country's oldest shrines, and the oldest endowment of Serbian Grand Prince Stefan Nemanja, built between 1159 and 1166. The president met with Bishop of Nis Jovan Puric, and discussed, among other issues, the renovation of the monastery. "It is most important for Serbs to remain in this area, and we will invest here first," Nikolic said and added that "everyone should be able to earn a living". (Tanjug) Beta Tanjug

"Kosovo is ours as long as we don't give it away"

Commenting on the conditions Serbia was asked to fulfill on its way to the EU, which have been outlined by some German officials in recent days, Nikolić said that other countries, parliaments and governments could voice their positions, but that Kosovo remained a part of Serbia.

He added that everyone who represented the people in Serbia would have to sit down and come to an agreement about Serbia's policy and goals.

"Kosovo was, is and will be a part of Serbia. Others can see the issue differently, but as long as we refuse to give Kosovo, they cannot take it away from us," Nikolić said in Prolom Banja.

While in Kuršumlija, Nikolić noted that state would invest in the most undeveloped areas first, because "things in Serbia had to get better and the state would see through the job it had started - putting criminals behind bars and people in factories".

After visiting the St. Nicholas Monastery, Nikolić said there were many regions in crisis and Serbia was in a difficult situation, because some cities did not have a single working factory and drought had also devastated the country, but he still believed things would get better.

"With complete faith, will and optimism, things will get better one day at a time. Things must get better, we will send criminals behind bars, get people to work in factories and finish the job we have started," said Nikolić.

He noted "there could be no eternal love between the people and those in power" and urged the people to judge the government based on its achievements - "if results are lacking, elect someone else".

"I know your lives are hard - if they were not, you would not have voted for change in Serbia. I know you expect a lot from all of us and we have to deliver. Serbia had come to a standstill and we got a little bit of air in our lungs because good people from other countries helped us, but we do not want to live from assistance, but from our work," said Nikolić.

The president said there were investors interested in Kuršumlija, who would enable people in the town to work, support their families and, most importantly, not leave the area.

The two municipalities are located in southern part of central Serbia, along the administrative line with Kosovo.

"The most important thing is that Serbs live here, you know for how many reasons, and we will invest first in these areas, the areas which are vulnerable," said Nikolić.

The visit to Kuršumlija was only the start, the president revealed, and said he would continue to tour the country, especially those places that are under threat, while he was at the same time "touring the world, in order to restore severed ties".

Nikolić said he would ask the government to "task those who earned a lot of money to take part in the financing and realization of projects for undeveloped regions in Serbia", and mentioned the Toplica District.

He added that he wised to see "a new climate in Serbia", such that would "help the poor":

"I have nothing against the rich, I wish there were many people in Serbia who were rich, but I am fighting against poverty in Serbia, for everyone to have a job, for children to be born..."

Nikolić visited the Monastery of St. Nicholas in Kuršumlija, one of the country's oldest shrines, and the oldest endowment of Serbian Grand Prince Stefan Nemanja, built between 1159 and 1166.

The president met with Bishop of Niš Jovan Purić, and discussed, among other issues, the renovation of the monastery.

"It is most important for Serbs to remain in this area, and we will invest here first," Nikolić said and added that "everyone should be able to earn a living".