Reaction of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Nikola Selaković

If there is something absurd, then it is the view that Slovenia has a greater and more legitimate interest in Kosovo and Metohija than Serbia, whose Kosovo and Metohija is an autonomous province, and based on the messages coming from Ljubljana these days, one could get the impression that some local political actors think so.

The fact that Serbia has decided not to problematise this issue in relations with Slovenia, with whom we wish to have partnership, stable and mutually beneficial relations, does not mean that we approve and will ever approve Slovenia’s position as regards our southern province.

We do not dispute Slovenia’s right to take a position on any foreign policy issue and to treat that issue as its state interest, but, likewise, Slovenia should not deny Serbia the right to protect its own state and national interests. It should certainly not emphasise that its national interest is challenging the national interests of Serbia.

If we agreed to disagree on this state and national issue, secondary for Slovenia and key for Serbia, then it is necessary to show a little tact and diplomacy and avoid to annoy Serbia with its most sensitive issues.

This is the minimum decency to be shown by someone who wants to foster partnership relations with Serbia.

By protecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity, Serbia also protects international law, and those who recognised the self-proclaimed independence of so-called Kosovo violated international law and violated Serbia's territorial integrity. The fact that we do not recall this fact every day does not mean that we waver, but that we want to build bridges with those who have a different position on this issue.

This is precisely the attitude of Serbia that increased and continues to increase the number of countries that do not recognise the so-called Kosovo, but Serbia within its internationally recognised borders, within which it is also a member of the UN.