Belgrade, 11/07/ 2022

PUBLIC STATEMENT

A FROZEN CONFLICT WITH PRISTINA
WOULD BE UNFATHOMABLY DETRIMENTAL TO THE FUTURE OF SERBIA:
AN APPEAL FOR SERBS TO RETURN TO KOSOVO INSTITUTIONS

Forum for Security and Democracy welcomes and joins all calls for the Serbs from the north of Kosovo to return to the institutions and the functions from which they resigned on November 5^th 2022.

FSD appeals to the president of Serbia, bearing in mind his outstanding reputation and influence, as well as the government of Serbia, to issue those same calls to the political actors in the north of Kosovo and by doing so support all rational calls aimed at stabilization of events there and more strongly work toward the easing of tensions and rhetoric that are dangerous to the security of not just Kosovo but the region as well!

FSD in that context particularly appeals to Serbia’s minister of foreign affairs, a signatory of the Brussels Agreement, to support such a call and, in spite of all the challenges and pressures, demonstrate the same courage he had shown at the time the treaty was signed – the goal of which was the furthering of Serbia’s European perspective and it’s future membership in the EU.

FSD’s view is that such steps by Serbia and Belgrade would strengthen their negotiating positions in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, alleviate doubts about the dedication of Serbia to resolving disputes with Pristina peacefully and ease noticeable fears for the continuation of the country’s road toward the EU and in view of the demonstrated EU support to the economic development of Serbia as a future EU member.

FSD, last but not least, points out that government and civil society efforts against pressures seeking to undermine Serbia’s international credibility as a candidate for EU membership and participant of current political processes must be reinforced and that the frets and reasonable doubts with regards to the continued strengthening of inappropriate influence of Russian foreign policy on Serbia’s decisions which cause direct damage to Serbia’s proclaimed national and European interests need to be further eased and removed.

FSD also strongly condemns all internal political pressures that are pushing Serbia towards a frozen conflict with Pristina and for a return to the time before the Brussels Agreement was signed, warning that would cause unfathomable damage to the future of Serbia, it’s security and the quality of life of all it’s citizens.