Keepin touch

Whether you have a question, comment, suggestion or any problem in the purview of the government, send us your message and we will try to respond as soon as possible. If your problem is not in our purview, we will forward your message to the relevant institution.

The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Serbia will never recognise unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo-Metohija

Kosovska Mitrovica, 16 February 2010

State Secretary at the Serbian Ministry for Kosovo-Metohija Oliver Ivanovic said today that two years have passed since the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo-Metohija and it has become clear to everyone that Serbia will never recognise this quasi state.

Serbia will do everything in its power to defend its territorial integrity by keeping Kosovo-Metohija within its borders, using political and diplomatic means, said Ivanovic in a statement to Tanjug news agency. Serbia will never allow the Kosovo Albanians to appear as representatives of an independent country as they can have representation on the international scene solely through UNMIK, stressed Ivanovic.

This stance by Belgrade is not just linked to political and legal action but is also the state’s obligation towards the Serbian Constitution and international law, explained Ivanovic.

Since 17 February 2008, when interim institutions in Pristina made a unilateral declaration of independence, there have not been any major incidents in the province but tensions are running high among the entire population, Ivanovic said. The issue of stability is directly linked with the economic situation and social problems of the people living in Kosovo-Metohija, he said.

The economic situation is the main problem and could cause disturbances. Political protest has moved to the background while social protest will become increasingly more important regarding political stability in the near future, said Ivanovic.