Office for Kosovo and Metohija
Government of the Republic of Serbia

Đurić: Unacceptable Proposal that CSM be NGO

This morning the Serbian delegation in Brussels received a proposal which does not entail even a minimum guarantee for the Community of the Serbian Municipalities (CSM). Apparently, the plan is to reduce the CSM to a mere non-governmental organisation, which is absolutely unacceptable, said the Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Marko Ðurić.

Underscoring the issue of the CSM as the gravest challenge in the dialogue on normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Priština, Ðurić could not give more details in his statement to TV Pink. He did indicate that according to said proposal, the CSM would not even be a public institution equal in standing to municipalities, but rather an organisation which would be registered, instead of founded or established under a law or another act.

"We are not going to accept for the CSM to be a non-governmental organisation, that is out of the question," Ðurić stated and reiterated that it was also the position held by the Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić.

The Government of Serbia, he said, will never accept the CSM to become an object of ridicule.

"We want the CSM to have its president, assembly, clearly defined duties, objectives, organisational structure, employees, administration, and to manage our affairs in Kosovo and Metohija," Ðurić explained.

He added that the Serbian side would not accept any toying with the issue.

Despite the fact that there are those who think that Serbia would be ready to accept just about anything given its great desire to make progress in the area of European integrations, Ðurić underscored that such expectations are futile.

"Our priority is to ensure the right of our people in Kosovo and Metohija to exist," Ðurić said.

With regard to the remaining issues of telecommunications, energy, and the Peace Park, Ðurić stressed that Serbia wants to discuss them as well.

"But we primarily want to protect our property, and therefore no agreements, should any be made, can prejudice or stipulate that our property in the field of energy is left outside the administration of our companies," Ðurić concluded.