MR. STANKOVIC: THERE IS NO PARALLEL BETWEEN SERBS IN KOSOVO AND METOHIJA AND ALBANIANS IN SOUTH SERBIA

15. August 2017.

Belgrade - Zoran Stankovic, President of the Coordination Body of the Government of the Republic of Serbia for the Municipalities of Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja, said that the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade was conducted separately and that the issue of managing the local self-governments in South Serbia could not be considered in the context of the Brussels negotiations.

“There is no parallel between solving the problems of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija and resolving the functioning of the local self-governments in three municipalities in southern Serbia - Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja, because everything is defined by the law and the state of Serbia, within its means and capabilities, does everything to solve all the requests of the leaders of the three municipalities,”Zoran Stankovic said for Radio Free Europe.

On the other hand, Saip Kamberi, the Mayor of Bujanovac, said that the attitude of Serbia towards Albanians in the southern part of the country was important for the position of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija.

Saip Kamberi said that "normalization of the relations between Belgrade and Pristina should occur through Bujanovac and Presevo."

“The attitude of the state towards the Albanians who live in this area is the best assistance that Serbia can provide to the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija. It is essential for the stability of our region, but also for the stability of the Albanian-Serbian relations in the future, "said Mr. Kamberi for Radio Free Europe.

Source: Radio Free Europe, Radio and Television of Serbia, “Tanjug” and “Beta” news agencies and Coordination Body