Petkovic: Kurti not interested in dialogue

BELGRADE - The head of the Serbian government Office for Kosovo-Metohija Petar Petkovic said on Monday dialogue was the only way of normalising Belgrade-Pristina relations, delivering on signed agreements and solving numerous problems on the ground but that Pristina's PM Albin Kurti was not interested in dialogue.

In an interview for Vecernje novosti, Petkovic said Kurti evidently believed he had the capacity to force Belgrade to act contrary to Serbian state and national interests and that he was under no obligation to seek agreements with Belgrade on any issue.

"That is nothing but a fantasy of his," Petkovic added.

"The Pristina regime is rejecting dialogue because it is evidently counting on also having other options at its disposal that mostly come down to unilateral and violent decisions, as well as expulsion of Serbs, especially from the north of the province. (Serbian) President Aleksandar Vucic, or anyone of us involved in the dialogue, is not in the least delighted with having to talk to Kurti, but we are in the dialogue because it is our job, entrusted to us by the citizens of Serbia," Petkovic said.

He noted that Kurti was not interested in preserving peace or reaching compromise, and added that this had been confirmed by his refusal to meet with Vucic in Brussels last week.