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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Serbia will persevere in the fight for Kosovo-Metohija

Strpce, 21 May 2008

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic said today in Strpce that he has come to Kosovo-Metohija to give concrete support to all citizens who are loyal to the Republic of Serbia, and underlined that we are going to persevere in our struggle for our Kosovo.

Djelic said that this means concrete measures for concrete people and added that this year a number of projects from the National Investment Plan (NIP) have been started, for the construction of roads and improvement of the river bank in Strpce.

After the talks with the leadership of the Strpce municipality which has almost 12,000 Serbian citizens, Djelic said that the Serbian government launched a comprehensive campaign related to the Ski centre company on Brezovica, adding that that company is the backbone of that municipality.

Up to RSD 70 million will be invested for that purpose this year, and after that much bigger investments might be expected, whose value can reach millions of Euros.

Djelic announced three big investments in Strpce, and added that the first one, the construction of a big sports hall, will begin already this year.

The second investment is the project of a mini hydro-electrical power plant worth €2 million, and the third is financing of the private sector, especially in the area of agriculture, the Serbian Deputy Prime Minister said.

Djelic asked the people of Strpce to design a project to revive cattle breeding and agriculture, and said that that is the only way to sustain Strpce’s economy.

He said that one of the reasons why Serbs are selling their land is that they have no other choice.

We will provide them with jobs, with the public company Skijalista Srbije under equal legal conditions we will implement all regulations as in the rest of Serbia and thus prevent these negative occurrences, said Djelic.

The Serbian Deputy Prime Minister said to Serbs in Strpce that one of the reasons why he has come to visit them is that he signed the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU.

The best way to defend Strpce and to defend our Kosovo is to move towards the EU as soon as possible, since only a powerful and economically strong Serbia can finance projects in Strpce and throughout Kosovo, a Serbia that has an international presence and the legal capacity to fight for our legitimate rights, said Djelic.

The Serbian Deputy Prime Minister also went to Gracanica, where he visited the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Clinic and met with directors of the clinic Dragan Peric, Ratko Petrovic and Sasa Cvetkovic, who are among the 204 honorary holders of the new Serbian passport.

Djelic said that he will insist that a new maternity hopital is built in Gracanica in which there would be more space, in line with European standards Serbia is aiming at.

Djelic said that it is nice to see new born babies and voiced satisfaction with the fact that not only Serbian mothers are coming to this hospital, but mothers of all nationalities.

After the visit to the hospital, the Deputy Prime Minister said that Serbia is a serious state which will not reconcile with illegal and unilateral decisions.

Challenges are enormous and we must be realistic and adopt a wise policy, and that is a peaceful struggle for Kosovo, to be fought by winning over more allies who will recognise those who are undermining international law, stressed Djelic.

He said that Serbia must offer cooperation to all sides and make sure that there is a place for everyone in the country, for the Albanians, Gorani and the Roma people. He added that a bright European future awaits Serbia.

I am convinced that when the UN General Assembly holds its session in autumn, it will come to the conclusion that a small number of countries have made the mistake of recognising Kosovo and then we will once again initiate a real round of negotiations and reach the only possible solution, which is a historical compromise between Belgrade and Pristina, said Djelic.

According to Djelic, the world has seen that without active participation by Belgrade it is impossible to reach a solution for Kosovo.

The Serbian Deputy Prime Minister also visited the ancient Gracanica monastery today.