Petkovic, Cypriot ambassador discuss situation in Kosovo-Metohija

BELGRADE - The head of the Serbian government Office for Kosovo-Metohija Petar Petkovic met with Cypriot Ambassador to Belgrade Andreas Fotiou on Thursday to discuss the situation in Kosovo-Metohija, voicing concerns over Pristina's obstructions of the EU-facilitated dialogue in Brussels, as well as its attempts to change the situation on the ground at the expense of the Serb population through imposed, unilateral and violent moves.

All efforts by Belgrade towards normalisation of relations and compromise have been hitting the wall because Pristina does not want peace or a solution, but exclusively tensions aimed at lasting destabilisation in Kosovo-Meothija, as well as at expelling the Serbs, a statement released by the Office quoted Petkovic as saying.

"For more than 12 years, the Serbs have been waiting for a Community of Serb Municipalities, which is Pristina's commitment under the First Brussels Agreement, and which would resolve the numerous problems we have on the ground now when it comes to the rights and the security of the Serbs. Instead, we have daily arrests of Serbs and institutional and physical violence from which even our children and women have not been spared," Petkovic said.

The Kosovo-Metohija Serbs expect a higher degree of protection from the international community and greater advocacy for their trampled rights and jeopardised security, of which Srpska lista political representatives have been informing the international missions on the ground almost on a daily basis, Petkovic noted.

Petkovic thanked the ambassador for his understanding and support for the position of Serbia and the Serbs, as well as for advocating the preservation of Serbia's territorial integrity and sovereignty.