"Dangers produced by Kosovo precedent become clear"

 Serbian reaction for the anniversary of the self Independence of Kosovo Source: Beta

BELGRADE -- Serbian Government Office for Kosovo Director Marko Djuric says the clear dangers produced by "the Kosovo precedent" are now becoming evident.

Marko Djuric is seen in Kosovska Mitrovica earlier this month (Tanjug, file)

"As the darkness of war and the redrawing of borders once again loom over Europe, the danger of the 'Kosovo precedent' - as it was referred to by those soothing the conscience of the world, claiming what was happening to Serbia, dismembering of its territory, would never happen again - has become more visible than at any time during the past seven years."
Djuric spoke on the anniversary of the ethnic Albanians' unilateral declaration of independence of Serbia's southern province - a proclamation adopted by acclamation in the assembly in Pristina on February 17, 2008. Serbia rejected the proclamation, saying it violated its Constitution and territorial integrity.

According to Djuric, quoted by the Beta agency, "in light of the turbulent events today on the European and world political scene, it can be concluded that taking international law lightly when it came to Kosovo was a big mistake and a misconception."

"The newly created events on the world stage teach us in an extremely clear way the lesson that unilateralism, disrespect for the positions of others, extreme acts and the ultimate subjectivity in international politics are introducing a defeat of humaneness and a moral and social crisis," he said.

Djuric added that the decision to proclaim Kosovo as independent was unlawful and as far as Serbia is concerned, "does not produce any legal effect today, just as it did not then."

Serbia, as he pointed out, "continues to provide unconditional support to Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija in the protection and fulfillment of their living, civic, religious and property rights."

Djuric said he was "deeply convinced that, as long as Serbs gather in monasteries and churches in Kosovo, as long as there are teachers and students and new generations are born, Serbia will, with its people, survive in Kosovo despite anyone's desires, wishes, interests, the redrawing of international law and attempts to falsify history."

Serbia, as he pointed out, opted for "the difficult Brussels talks" for the sake of the Serb community, "holding a principled belief in dialogue as the only possible way to establish lasting peace and stability, and not only in the territory of Kosovo and Metohija."