Vučić: The recognition of self-proclaimed Kosovo will not happen

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić said today that, when it comes to Belgrade's position, the recognition of self-proclaimed Kosovo "will not happen".

Answering the question of Albanian journalists when he will pay an official visit to Priština, Vučić said he is asked the same question every time, referring to the question of when Serbia will recognize the self-proclaimed Kosovo.

"The Serbian Prime Minister visits different parts of Kosovo. I will visit the Monastery of Gračanica again, as well as Laplje Selo, Kosovo Polje, I will talk to people. I am always ready to talk to Albanians, too," Vučić said.

When the journalist remarked that the inauguration of the Kosovo president will take place on Friday and that Vučić could pay an official visit to Priština, the Prime Minister of Serbia answered this will not happen, "and not for a long time".

Following a comment that after the upcoming elections in Serbia an opposition politician could become the Prime Minister and recognize Kosovo, Vučić said that Albanians could only dream about it.

"Maybe your dreams will come true. I have nothing against that, you can hope, maybe that will happen, but I wouldn't bet on it too much," Vučić said.

Asked by a journalist to comment on the statement of the provincial Prime Minister Isa Mustafa that he does not wish to talk to Belgrade about the state property of Kosovo and Metohija, Vučić replied that Serbia wants to talk and that the result of talks and agreements is always better than unilateral decisions.

"Speaking of state property, if Mustafa can show me a single stone he invested in here in Banjska, I would like to see the stone, because I can show you the stones I invested in, and then I could possibly consider his position," Vučić said.

Asked when the Community of Serbian Municipalities will be established, Vučić responded it is important to first comply with the Brussels Agreement.

Pointing out that he believes Priština will meet its obligations, the Prime Minister recalled that the Brussels Agreement and other agreements were signed by Kosovo officials.

"When I put my signature, then it means something will be fulfilled. We keep our word, let alone signatures. I believe that the international community will seek to honour themselves because they mediated in the dialogue, and we signed the four agreements of 25 August in their presence," Vučić stressed.

He added that it is up to the government in Priština to make a decision on when it will respect what it itself signed.

"We want them to do it as soon as possible, but we cannot take any steps, because it is their responsibility and not ours," Vučić said.

The Prime Minister wondered why they have taken part in the talks and signed agreements if the Constitutional Court can block this.

"When I take part in talks, I represent the Government of Serbia, and it goes without saying that we fulfil what we sign. If we negotiate with someone and then the signature has no value, why waste time to go to Brussels, agree on something, and then say the deal is off," Vučić reflected.

The Prime Minister said Serbia will not "cry" over Priština's position, but will have a solution for its people.