Vucic, Parolin discuss protection of Serbian heritage sites in Kosovo-Metohija

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with the State Secretary of the Holy See Pietro Parolin in Belgrade on Wednesday to discuss holding regular political dialogue at all levels as well as protection and renovation of Serbian religious and cultural heritage in the autonomous province of Kosovo-Metohija.

Vucic added that Serbia's cooperation with the Roman Catholic Church was good, with mutual respect and efforts to advance it further.

Vucic said Serbia highly appreciated the Holy See's principled position on non-recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of the so-called Kosovo, as well as its understanding for Serbia's position, based on respect of international law.

"An excellent meeting with Cardinal Parolin, with whom I discussed holding regular political dialogue at all levels as well as Serbia's cooperation with the Roman Catholic Church, which is good, with mutual support and efforts to advance it further," Vucic wrote in a post on his buducnostsrbijeav Instagram account.

He said Serbia was committed to continue to maintain and advance constructive relations with the Holy See as it shared the same views on many international issues, above all, on protection of Christians and Christian heritage as well as improvement of the human rights of Christians.

"I noted that the issue of protection, respect and improvement of the rights of Serbs and other non-Albanians in Kosovo-Metohija is essential for Serbia, as is the protection and renovation of Serbian religious and cultural heritage, Orthodox cemeteries and endangered cultural monuments, especially Orthodox churches and monasteries under UNESCO protection," Vucic said.

He added that other topics of mutual interest had also been discussed.