"Referendum means confrontation with government"

Ministry for Kosovo State Secretary Oliver Ivanovic has said that a referendum ongoing in northern Kosovo "will not yield historic results". It wil have solely negative implications as it is the first time Serbs have openly confronted the Serbian government, he believes. "Referendum means confrontation with government" Ivanovic does not expect the referendum to affect the decision on Serbia's candidate status, stressing that the referendum was called in order for certain parties to build up their positions ahead of the elections. The source of funding of the referendum is very suspicious, and for that reason the local authorities in north Kosovo could face consequences, Ivanovic noted. He said that the referendum was expected as the municipal presidents went too far with preparations and spectacular announcements, expecting the referendum to have historic results which is a complete political nonsense. Ivanovic said that the referendum will have no legal effect, but that it will create political tension, which is certain to stay in Kosovo for some time, while the consequences of the tension could reflect on the entire population in the north of the province. “I believe that this is too big a risk which the municipal presidents should not have taken,” Ivanovic said. “In the manner Serbs have showed that they do not respect institutions which are in charge of them and which are their only safe partner and friend,” Ivanovic said. Furthermore, there is also the international community which did not support their referendum, and the question arises who their allies will be, as ethnic Albanians are certainly not among them, he added. Speaking about the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and the referendum's effect on the talks, Ivanovic said that people in the north have to be involved in the negotiating process either directly or indirectly. “It is absolutely certain that north Kosovo Serbs cannot block the dialogue. It is in the interest of 7.5 million citizens. The north cannot block the interests of a vast majority in Serbia,” he said. Oliver Ivanovic (Tanjug, file) Tanjug

"Referendum means confrontation with government"

Ivanović does not expect the referendum to affect the decision on Serbia's candidate status, stressing that the referendum was called in order for certain parties to build up their positions ahead of the elections. The source of funding of the referendum is very suspicious, and for that reason the local authorities in north Kosovo could face consequences, Ivanović noted.

He said that the referendum was expected as the municipal presidents went too far with preparations and spectacular announcements, expecting the referendum to have historic results which is a complete political nonsense.

Ivanović said that the referendum will have no legal effect, but that it will create political tension, which is certain to stay in Kosovo for some time, while the consequences of the tension could reflect on the entire population in the north of the province.

“I believe that this is too big a risk which the municipal presidents should not have taken,” Ivanović said.

“In the manner Serbs have showed that they do not respect institutions which are in charge of them and which are their only safe partner and friend,” Ivanović said.

Furthermore, there is also the international community which did not support their referendum, and the question arises who their allies will be, as ethnic Albanians are certainly not among them, he added.

Speaking about the Belgrade-Priština dialogue and the referendum's effect on the talks, Ivanović said that people in the north have to be involved in the negotiating process either directly or indirectly.

“It is absolutely certain that north Kosovo Serbs cannot block the dialogue. It is in the interest of 7.5 million citizens. The north cannot block the interests of a vast majority in Serbia,” he said.