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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Only a strong Serbia can defend Kosovo-Metohija

Belgrade, 19 February 2008

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic said today that only a strong Serbia will be able to fight to keep Kosovo-Metohija within Serbian borders and it must show that it will never recognise independence of its southern province.

Djelic told Radio Television Serbia that strengthening the Serbian economy and its resources will provide the means for Serbia to fight for Kosovo-Metohija and stressed that any form of self-isolation would weaken the country in the long run.

Attracting investment, creating new jobs, that’s the way we will defend our Kosovo-Metohija, Djelic said and stressed that Serbia must have a much stronger economy and resources which will secure a series of new investments in the south of Serbia and Kosovo-Metohija.

He said that what happened in the UN Security Council last night “behind closed doors” and the division within the EU show that this “act” has come out of the framework of international law and represents a big problem for Serbia, but for the whole world as well.

Serbia will try to ensure that this entity is not recognised in the coming weeks, months and years, Djelic said.

Commenting on the withdrawal of Serbian ambassadors from countries that recognised Kosovo’s independence, Djelic said that in doing so we are behaving like any democratic, European country.

The EU and European orientation are not at stake. The top priority now is Kosovo-Metohija and it will be like that in years to come, Djelic stressed.

He noted that some of the present and future super powers are on Serbia’s side, like China, India and Brazil, adding that Serbia enjoys the full support of the Russian Federation.

Djelic said that the presence of Serbs and other loyal citizens on the territory of the southern province make a considerable contribution to Serbian statehood as they are “a live connection”, noting that only a strong Serbia will be able to defend them.

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed assurance that the protest on February 21 at 5 pm in Belgrade in front of the House of Parliament organised by the government and parliamentary parties will show that citizens reject Kosovo’s independence and it will be the strongest possible message that a strong Serbia, with dignity, peace and unity, is defending its interests.

Another maturity test will be the capacity to preserve unity on this issue, Djelic said noting that there must be no political bickering.

He noted that Serbia is ready to invest €70 million in Kosovo-Metohija and announced the heightening of Serbia’s media presence abroad.

Speaking about projects in Kosovo-Metohija, the Minister said that additional agricultural machinery needs to be provided in Osojane and added that an agreement has been reached to build a mini-hydroelectric plant and to repair the ski-centre on Brezovica.