Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Also this year, on this day, when part of the international community, together with representatives of Pristina, marks and celebrates the anniversary of the secessionist act of the unilateral declaration of independence of the so-called Kosovo, we reiterate to the international public that the Republic of Serbia does not recognize, has not recognized, and will not recognize the unilateral secessionist acts adopted on this day in 2008.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia considers it its duty to draw attention to the evident double standards that continue to burden contemporary international relations and seriously undermine confidence in international law.

The unilateral declaration of independence of the so-called Kosovo constituted a serious and flagrant violation of international law, as well as of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of an internationally recognized United Nations member state, contrary to the fundamental principles enshrined in the UN Charter, which clearly affirm the inviolability of internationally recognized borders. Disregard for these principles opened a dangerous “Pandora’s box,” creating a precedent that has undermined stability across numerous regions of the world and encouraged unilateral and separatist actions, further weakening the foundations of the international legal order and confidence in the consistent application of its norms.

One cannot, on the one hand, resolutely and in a principled manner insist on respect for the territorial integrity of certain states, while at the same time justifying its violation in the case of Serbia. Such selective application of principles not only calls into question the universal validity of international law but also sends a deeply concerning message that equal rules do not apply to all in international relations.

At the same time, members of the Serb people in Kosovo and Metohija face some of the most flagrant forms of human rights violations on European soil. Exposed to daily pressures and continuous intimidation, Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija are struggling to survive on their centuries-old ancestral lands, while in the 21st century their fundamental rights are being systematically restricted, including freedom of movement and access to healthcare and education.

It is therefore legitimate to ask whether those who today mark and celebrate this date also recall the more than 200,000 Serbs expelled from their homes, as well as the hundreds of desecrated and destroyed religious and cultural sites, including some of the most significant Serbian shrines in Kosovo and Metohija, or whether those sufferings, too, are being silently consigned to oblivion.

Proceeding from the conviction that our dispute is not, and must not be, a dispute with the Albanian people, but rather with dangerous ideas and policies that deepen divisions and impede the achievement of lasting and sustainable solutions, the Republic of Serbia remains firmly committed to a policy of peace, dialogue, and consistent respect for international law as the only reliable foundation for long-term security and stability in the region. At the same time, in accordance with international law and its constitutional obligations, Serbia will continue to consistently and resolutely protect the rights, security, and survival of the Serb people in Kosovo and Metohija.