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MAYOR ARSIC: ALBANIANS FROM MEDVEDJA DO NOT WANT TO BE ANNEXED TO KOSOVO AND METOHIJA

28. August 2018.

Medvedja – Nebojsa Arsic, the Mayor of Medvedja, said that that municipality was a true example of how a multi-ethnic community could function properly.  

“I have not heard from representatives of the Albanians in the Municipal Assembly of Medvedja or anywhere else that they want to get annexed to Kosovo and Metohija. Although  the Serbs have absolute majotrity in our municipality, there is no ethnic intolerance. There are no "Serbian" or "Albanian" cafes, people sit together, extend geetings on religious holidays to each other  ... We are an example of a well-functioning multi-ethnic community, " Mayor Arsic said.

This is what Mayor Arsic said for the "Evening News" daily regarding the increasingly frequent messages of the officials in Pristina whereby the normalization of relations with Belgrade should be completed by the "correction of borders" or the annexation of Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja to the so-called State of Kosovo.

"Life in Medvedja can be even better not only for the Serbs, but also for the Albanians and Roma, if our internal relationship is not marred by the stories about changes of borders that are told by the  people who live far from our territory. The possible demarcation of the border line is the topic for the highest governmental bodies of the Republic of Serbia, "he said.

According to the most recent estimates, 7,742 people live in Medvedja, of whom a little more than 500 are Albanians.

„They have three councilors in the local assembly and four positions in the municipality, which include those of two members of the Municipal Council, the Deputy President of the Municipal Assembly and the Deputy Mayor. The municipal council decisions are mostly made by consensus, " Mayor Arsic said.

The leader of the municipality set himself the primary task of stopping the outflow of the population, especially of the young and educated. As he says, this is a problem that is solved together with representatives of the Albanians.

Medvedja, which belongs to the Jablanica District, is situated 160 kilometers from Presevo, which belongs to the Pcinj District.

“The living conditions in the municipality have been improved by building roads to the remote villages, as well as by the restoration of the main road that connects Medvedja with Leskovac. Subsidies for farmers and entrepreneurs in Medvedja have never been larger. Although our municipality has a great many natural resources, such as ores and healing waters, it is on the list of the least developed municipalities. I believe that will change, " Mayor Arsic said.

Source: The Evening News and Coordination