YouSaid · the spoken record

Boris Tadić

lines on the record: 104
first: 2006-09-24
most recent: 2011-09-24
sittings or episodes: 6
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“In that way, Serbia can continue to be an even more effective member of the United Nations, contributing fully and enthusiastically to the issues that touch common humanity.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Our battle against organized crime is a global one. We know that international organized crime wants to use the region of South-East Europe as a base to penetrate the EU. The Republic of Serbia has decided that it is a strategic priority and a national security priority that Serbia will help prevent that. Serbia is therefore fighting a battle to protect citizens of the European Union. It is actively engaged in a wider strategy to destroy the links between organized crime and international terrorism. We cooperate with all nations that share those objectives. We appeal to the entire region to join us in that battle. I am therefore convinced that the presence of Serbia as a candidate, actively negotiating its accession, is an important asset for the European Union.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“It is for others to decide whether they think that the achievement of those two objectives is for the good of the region and for stability. We are convinced that it is in everyone’s interest. I believe that Serbia has met the criteria to be invited to be a candidate for membership of the European Union. I also believe that my country is ready to start accession negotiations. I believe that if that were to occur, Serbia would, for the first time in 20 years, begin to believe that the EU actually sees Serbia as an integral part of a complete European Union. I fervently believe that my country has set an example in the region in matters related to reconciliation, the establishment of the rule of law and the fight against organized crime, as well as in building the administrative capacity to handle European norms.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“I look forward to the day when I can stand at this rostrum and report that we have resolved that issue and that we have found a mutually acceptable compromise, not an imposed outcome where one side gets everything that it has ever wanted and the other side gets nothing. A maximalist zero-sum approach is a solution with no future. We are ready. We are committed. It is for others to provide grounds for optimism. The Republic of Serbia has two immediate parallel objectives: to secure a mutually acceptable arrangement in Kosovo that provides iron-clad guarantees for the Serbian communities and to accelerate our progress to membership of the European Union. Both those objectives are achievable. It would be foolish for anyone to think that one objective will be sacrificed on the altar of the other.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“The failure to advance with goodwill on the very issue that is at the core of our concerns — the rights of the Serbian communities in Kosovo — is very disturbing. For us, those four issues are the litmus test. There is so much to say about the progress in my country that is positive that it always saddens me that I must repeat my concerns about the way in which the 9 11-51191 issue of Kosovo is being handled. Let us all recall that Security Council resolution 1244 (1999) placed Kosovo under the interim administration of the United Nations, pending a comprehensive settlement endorsed by the Security Council. There is a limit to what and for how long Serbia must be held accountable for developments where it is asked to assume responsibility, but without the necessary authority.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“The third issue is that of the status of the Serbian Orthodox Church and of some of its key holy sites. The protection of those sites and the special status that must be given to them to preserve their unique identity and their livelihoods is a matter of fundamental concern. It comes as a matter of surprise to me that an offer that would be acceptable to the Republic of Serbia and the Serbian Orthodox Church has not been volunteered by the other side. That issue is one of the most basic, and its denial should be considered a total embarrassment to the authorities in Pristina and the supervisory institutions and nations present in Kosovo. Finally, the question of property must be resolved. Thousands of private claims remain pending, making hostages of those internally displaced in 1999. Commercial property claims are unresolved, as well.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Any form of understanding on the matter of Kosovo has as a conditio sine qua non the explicit negotiated and guaranteed agreement on the following matters essential to the protection of Serbs in Kosovo. The first concerns the status of the Serbian population in North Kosovo. All acknowledge that this is an issue that must be addressed on the basis of the current realities. Attempts to change the current realities would not be conducive to constructive solutions. The second issue involves the proper implementation of decentralization in Kosovo. All those enclaves that are isolated from other Serbs must have a political, judicial and economic life providing the standards that allow them to prosper where they are. Serbia remains ready to continue to provide the necessary support to these threatened populations.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Our response to this is to say that, just as we will never accept unilateral action, we will also not abandon the negotiation process. This is why we have stated that we cannot and will not recognize the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo. It is also why we believe that we must settle all other issues with Pristina, because our region needs to have a stable environment. The Republic of Serbia has always sought tangible assurances, bound by international agreement and guarantees, that Serbian communities inhabiting Kosovo, Serbian interests and Serbia’s cultural heritage will be protected and allowed to flourish. Many of these issues have been discussed over the past few years in different formats. Occasionally, there have been agreements reached, but never implemented. It is time that matters were clarified.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“There are numerous issues that must be addressed in the months ahead. I appeal to all involved to remain engaged in this process in a constructive spirit. To that end, we expect the International Security Force in Kosovo and the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo to fully observe the United Nations doctrine of status neutrality, in accordance with their mandates under Security Council resolution 1244 (1999), the source of their universal legitimacy, both on the ground and in the international arena. Progress needs trust. Negotiations and reconciliation are not achieved through concessions from one side only. Success does not occur when threats of violence are issued and coercive action takes place in the course of negotiations.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“I want to remind the Assembly and all Members of the United Nations that on 5 October 2000 the Republic of Serbia voluntarily and peacefully overthrew its past and entered a new phase in its history, in which it placed the fate of the Serbian nation under the protection of democracy, civility, peace and dialogue. For this reason, we take grave offence at this climate of threat emanating from countries that we would otherwise consider our most natural partners. In the case of Serbia, the dialogue between two parties was initiated in March 2011, following a delay of several months to accommodate the electoral schedule in Pristina. We have made very significant progress during those negotiations. The Republic of Serbia, I assure the Assembly, will remain a very active party to this dialogue.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“In July, talks between Belgrade and Pristina, facilitated by the European Union, were briefly suspended by the facilitator. At that time, there was an attempt to impose customs officers on the administrative boundary line between Serbia proper and North Kosovo. Violence erupted. My Government did all it could to prevent violence from spreading, but was this necessary? The effect was to remind Serbs that they are negotiating with a gun to their heads and with the constant threat of international isolation. It reminds 11-51191 8 Serbs that the excuse of violence by others is a tool used irresponsibly to threaten Serbs. It reminds Serbs of the anti-Serb pogroms in Kosovo in March of 2004. It reminds Serbs of the failed negotiations and the imposition of a unilaterally declared independence.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“A majority of Member States have refrained from recognizing Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence. They have continued to abide by their United Nations Charter obligations to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of my country. On behalf of the Republic of Serbia, allow me to once again sincerely thank those countries for their support and solidarity. Earlier this week, we heard from this rostrum a dangerous appeal for countries to recognize Kosovo. That appeal does not contribute to regional stability. Rather, it lessens our chances of finding a solution we can all accept. The appeal we heard is not an appeal for peace but an appeal to endorse unilateralism and would create a deeply disturbing precedent, namely, encouragement for secessionists everywhere.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“The fundamental principle that the best settlements occur when two parties agree, each making compromises, surely is universal. I subscribe enthusiastically to the comments by the President of the United States, made from this rostrum, on that very subject of negotiations. I agree that there is no shortcut to ending a conflict that has endured for a long time, and that peace depends on compromise among people, who must live together long after our speeches are over. However, this rule is not being applied to Serbia on the matter of its province of Kosovo and Metohija. On 17 February 2008, Kosovo’s ethnic Albanian authorities attempted unilateral secession, a violation of the basic principles of the United Nations Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Only it can give a universal mandate and jurisdiction to ensure that all perpetrators of war crimes in the Balkans are brought to justice, including those responsible for trafficking in human organs in Kosovo. I strongly believe that ending the culture of impunity in some parts of the Balkans is a common goal shared by every member of the international community. There is a certain irony to our proceedings today. This year we have welcomed a new member to the United Nations family, the Republic of South Sudan. The Republic of Serbia welcomes its membership in the United Nations. We welcome them because they and the Republic of the Sudan, after many years of conflict, arrived at a settlement that was achieved as a result of long, difficult negotiations between the two parties.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“That action was also taken to demonstrate that Serbia wishes to move to a climate of total reconciliation throughout the region. We feel that we have done our part. Equally, we insist that everyone else does their part as well. As in all previous instances involving war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Balkans, the Security Council has given a mandate to investigate. That has greatly contributed to the process of regional reconciliation. This is the standard that must be applied in uncovering the full truth about allegations made in a deeply disturbing report by the Council of Europe, entitled “Inhuman treatment of people and illicit trafficking in human organs in Kosovo”. Only the Security Council can make sure a comprehensive investigation takes place.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“All of that has set the stage for Serbia to actively consider seeking the chairmanship-in-office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for the year 2014 - the centenary of the start of the First World War. The unifying symbolism of 2014 would not only help catalyse efforts to resolve the unfinished business on the old continent’s shared agenda. It would also help to close the book on an era that did not witness the enduring stability that the nations of the OSCE space deserve. We have devoted extraordinary levels of resources to capture war criminals. Finally, the Republic of Serbia has completed its obligations to itself and to the international community. We believe that, after the tragedies of the 1990s, that exercise is a very necessary catharsis for our nation.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Regional cooperation is a cornerstone of our diplomacy, and we believe that it is only to the benefit of the entire region. That is reflected in our chairmanships of the Central European Initiative and the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative. Most important, it is also reflected in Serbia’s chairmanship of the South- East European Cooperation Process, our region’s most important initiative. Next year, my country will follow 7 11-51191 that up by taking over responsibilities to lead the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization. Serbia has established an entirely new level of confidence in relations with Croatia. That has been of strategic significance in securing stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We welcome Croatia’s imminent accession to the European Union.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“We also enthusiastically support the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. In times as complex as these, our objective must be to manage real crises well and to avoid creating unnecessary ones. There are problems that can be resolved through patient discussion and the building of trust. Unilateral action in such circumstances simply creates crisis for no good reason. That is why, in our regional issues of South Eastern Europe, we always promote the principles and the presence of the United Nations. As a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement, we were able to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of its founding in Belgrade. Such networks create layers of communication and trust at a time of globalization. Our bid to join the European Union is the platform on which we intend to build and contribute to our shared objectives.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“The great economic and political unions have achieved success by balancing sacrifice with gain for all. The same challenge now confronts the European Union (EU). In North Africa and the Middle East, we have seen a wave of protest that has convulsed the region. The Republic of Serbia and the Serbian people have had a long relationship with all the peoples of that region. We stand by them. We know what is involved in such changes. In a time of such uncertainty, crises call for United Nations-sanctioned involvement to save lives and to keep the peace. There will be more such missions. I am very pleased that the Republic of Serbia is now actively engaged in several such missions, and we will continue our commitment. In that spirit, the Republic of Serbia is a signatory to the evolving climate change commitments and conventions.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“New priorities are presented to citizens. The worst that we could do now is to allow fear and indecision to govern us. These are also times that call for a deep commitment to international cooperation and multilateralism. Every crisis that we address reaches beyond our national frontiers. There is no way that we can resolve such matters without the framework of the international laws and rules to which we are all bound. The financial crisis has had a profound and negative effect on all our aspirations. While each country must adjust its expectations, we cannot allow ourselves to be guided only by our national concerns. In fact, they are best supported by greater commitment to a deeper solidarity among nations and far more intense cooperation.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“The rapid changes in our political and economic environment show, once again, the necessity of this annual gathering of the General Assembly of the United Nations. We have a difficult task ahead of us. I wish the President of the General Assembly every success. He can rest assured that he has our fullest support. I also wish to congratulate Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on his reappointment. His steady hand has helped to steer the United Nations through challenging times. To him, too, we offer all our support. It has been a year of momentous change. An economic crisis pervades most liberal economies. A wave of political change is sweeping through much of the Middle East. Climatic turbulence leaves loss and tragedy in its wake. Famine stalks the Horn of Africa. New choices confront political leaders.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“We shall contribute to those countries that would welcome assistance, and we look to an intensification of cooperation. I hope that this is a clear signal that my Government believes in an active global engagement that will contribute to both global solidarity and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Serbia has historically been part of global movements. That is why we are totally engaged in achieving membership of the European Union. That is why we support the United Nations system. It is also why we are now moving to reactivate the many relationships that we built historically, as part of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). My country is the largest successor to a founding member of the Movement. Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, was the site of the First NAM Summit in 1961. 1 am proud that one of the capstone events marking the Movement’s fiftieth anniversary will be celebrated in Belgrade next September. As part of our commitment to the Millennium Development Goals, we are strengthening many of our engagements and commitments worldwide through the Movement.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We have a common responsibility as leaders in our region to eliminate this scourge on our societies, and Serbia will spare no effort in our quest to eradicate this threat. It is our responsibility to all our neighbours. For this reason there has been a growing number of meetings and consultations between us in the region on this matter. But today I want to say that this issue cannot be addressed tactically and occasionally. It is a strategic issue that affects all of Europe. I am therefore asking that we all become alert to the next generation of threat. In our region, we have a responsibility to create a strategic alliance against organized crime. We hope that all Western Balkan States will make fighting it a priority. We owe this to our citizens, we owe it to our neighbours in the European Union, and we owe it to the next generation.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Organized crime, I want to state emphatically, is in the Western Balkans. I consider it to be the greatest single challenge to my country and to the whole region. It always has been present, and it was given solid foundations because of the wars in our region. But I fear that it is developing capabilities — acquired from the globalization of crime and access to technology — at a much faster pace. The criminals concerned are bringing drugs, guns, human trafficking and corruption into our societies. In doing so, they are using our region to spread into Europe. I fear that we are in a race against time in our region. The stark choice is that South-Eastern Europe will become either a valuable bridge between Europe and vital areas to the East or it will become the beachhead of organized crime trying to reach Europe.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“To a very large extent, it is changing to the good. We should recognize the many new levels of cooperation that exist in our region. The Western Balkans — which has been affected by the financial crisis — is a story of many small and larger incremental successes. In fact, relations have never been better. But the region must also acknowledge that as it develops its successes can generate new challenges. There is one area, therefore, on which I wish to speak with a clarity that may be deemed undiplomatic. Organized crime is now a global industry. It is the dark side of globalization. It attaches itself to weak societies. It attaches itself to political and religious extremists. It attempts to buy and subvert democracies. Like water, it spreads to where it finds least resistance. It is global and globalized in its interconnections.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We must absorb the values and culture of today’s Europe in order that the Union absorbs us. This is a delicate exercise, in which expectations must be carefully nurtured. The EU is evolving. But so is our region. In this dynamic, we have to assume that the European Union will remain true to its word that the inhabitants of the region now referred to as the Western Balkans will all become citizens of the European Union. It would be a geographical, historical and cultural aberration if this were not so. However, as the region goes through its own changes, it is particularly sensitive to the signals that it receives from the European Union. We hope that as the new institutions of the Union take shape, we will have an increasingly clear communication from and with the EU. It is also true that our region is changing.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Our National Assembly adopted a historic Declaration on Srebrenica: a crime was condemned and an apology was extended. There is little precedent for such an action, and I am proud, in that it demonstrates the maturity of the democracy of Serbia. I hope that more such gestures throughout the region will help us create a new region in which our shared history will unite us morally rather than divide us politically. For this, surely, is the foundation upon which the future will be built. My guiding light is the history of the European Union. It should be for the entire region of South-East Europe. The European Union has been a story of 11 10-55103 reconstruction and reconciliation. That story is not over. The Union faces its own challenges, and we in our region must assume the responsibility of emulating it.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“That will be a significant contribution to ensuring that unilateral attempts to impose outcomes of ethnic and territorial disputes are not legitimized, thereby preventing Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence from becoming a dangerous and destabilizing precedent. Until now, statehood has never been attained without the consent of the parent State. A durable settlement on an issue of such magnitude and sensitivity has never been the product of compulsion; it always necessitates consent. It would be equally harmful if there were attempts to alter realities on the ground while discussions get under way. Any attempt to change these realities through the use of force would bring an immediate end to the process of dialogue. I address the Assembly today as a leader who believes that the future lies in seeking reconciliation.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We are entering a phase in which creative solutions require political imagination, respect for our own democratic institutions and great skill. I trust that it can be a phase in which all parties leave behind them anachronistic analyses and diplomatic ambushes. We must be able to build confidence to have trust. Serbia believes that the continued pursuit of recognition is futile and counter-productive to the spirit in which we now enter this phase. All those who wanted to make their point have made it, and we still do not have a clear settlement. I want to underline that it is of critical importance for Member States that have not recognized Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence to stay the course on non-recognition throughout the dialogue process.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“The General Assembly resolution relating to the Court’s opinion acknowledged this content of the Court’s advisory opinion. It is within this framework that we are ready to follow the Assembly’s resolution and to engage in a dialogue. We are now ready to talk, and we will do so in good faith. Therefore, Serbia asks all Member States to engage fully in the spirit of their vote in the Assembly, in which they called for a dialogue to be facilitated by the European Union. A dialogue requires trust. Soon the two parties will be talking to each other for the first time in many years. We must be patient and seek out those issues which allow confidence to be built on each side. There will be many issues to discuss, and some of them will be complicated. All Member States can contribute to an atmosphere that creates trust.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“The Court also did not endorse the view that Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence was sui generis — a unique case. Nor did it endorse any avowed right to self-determination for the province’s ethnic Albanians. The Court chose to examine the language of Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence, and held the view that the text of the declaration itself did not contain anything that violates international law. The Court, thus, did not approve the province’s right to secession from Serbia, nor did it support the claim that Kosovo is a sovereign State. The Court’s opinion is clear: the unilateral declaration of independence was only “an attempt to determine finally the status of Kosovo” (A/64/881, advisory opinion, para. 114).”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“For this reason, we insisted on the process of 10-55103 10 seeking the opinion of the International Court of Justice and the subsequent General Assembly resolution related to the Court’s opinion. Let me be very clear as to what the Court did and did not say. Its advisory opinion reaffirmed that Kosovo remains under the interim administration of the United Nations, and that Security Council resolution 1244 (1999) and the United Nations Constitutional Framework for Provisional Self-Government in Kosovo stay in force and continue to apply. That means that this part of our territory remains subject to an international regime mandated by the Security Council. The centrality and leading role of the Security Council in determining the comprehensive settlement of the Kosovo issue remains paramount, and will provide legitimacy to the result.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“A vast majority of United Nations Member States refrained from recognizing Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence. They have continued to abide by their Charter obligations to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of my country. On behalf of the Republic of Serbia, I once again sincerely thank those countries for their support and solidarity. Serbia’s position remains unchanged. The unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo will not be recognized by Serbia explicitly or implicitly. This is enshrined in our Constitution. We have repeatedly said that we seek dialogue, but within a framework of globally acknowledged law, the law of the United Nations.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“But that dialogue must be framed by rules and accountability, and this has been achieved through the latest vote of the General Assembly. Many have been involved in this process, and we are grateful for the contributions of all those who in the debate on the draft resolution expressed understanding for the position of Serbia. Our issue has been the first test of the new post-Lisbon institutions of the European Union, which we consider our natural and eventual home. We are encouraged by the commitment and sense of purpose of the leadership of these new institutions. We should be very clear. Serbia has always maintained that the attempt to secede unilaterally is a violation of the basic principles of the Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We look forward to engaging in the process that will hopefully lead to a mutually acceptable compromise solution to the problem of Kosovo. We feel vindicated in our contention that the path to dialogue lay through the natural process of international legitimacy. The General Assembly sought an opinion from the International Court of Justice. The ICJ delivered an opinion. The General Assembly has now, as a consequence, called for dialogue. Moreover, that request comes as a consequence of a joint effort between Serbia and the European Union. In the light of that, we sought reaffirmation of the validity of the international system as we know it. We feel proud that our faith in this process has produced results. We have always said that we are ready to engage in dialogue.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“One thing that we have all embraced, as Member States of the United Nations, is the wish to find solutions to all challenges through peaceful means, dialogue and consensus. I opened with a specific reference to the General Assembly. A few weeks ago it adopted by acclamation resolution 64/298, proposed by Serbia and sponsored by the 27 States members of the European Union, acknowledging the content of the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo. The resolution is fundamentally status-neutral with regard to the status of Kosovo. All other interpretations do not correspond to the truth. The resolution welcomed the readiness of the EU to facilitate a process of dialogue between the parties. Serbia welcomes the resolution.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“I stand before the Assembly gratified and in a position to salute it for playing a very important part in the process towards reconciliation in my region, and for supporting the consolidation of the new, modern Serbia. In a few days, we will proudly celebrate the tenth anniversary of our peaceful democratic revolution. In a world confronted by so many threats, the United Nations must constantly reaffirm its original purpose and adapt to new challenges. The United Nations has confronted, through its many agencies, the scourges of discrimination, disease, hunger, poverty and environmental degradation. In other words, the United Nations has built a capacity to create rules that transcend frontiers, rules that we all respect.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Our vision is simple: the universal application of the principles contained in the United Nations Charter, the strengthening of international law and human rights in an increasingly interdependent world, the equitable development of the global economy and the sustainable management of the environment throughout the world. Let us all have the courage to see that vision through to its rapid and noble completion.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Let me emphasize that Serbia will continue to engage with NAM countries, not only to honour a legacy from the past and to renew traditional friendships, but also because we believe that international stability and prosperity cannot be consolidated without taking into account the views of the majority in the global family of nations. I close by saying that the time for anyone to procrastinate, to try half-measures or to delay and discourage is coming to a close. In its place, we are entering a period in which only results matter — a period of consequence and momentous choice. Now comes our time of testing.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Therefore, our engagement with Brussels, Moscow, Washington and Beijing — the four enduring pillars of Serbia’s foreign policy — will continue to be strengthened in the time ahead. In conclusion, I want to emphasize another important dimension of our foreign policy. Serbia will continue to deepen ties with proud nations across the globe, many of which are members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). My country is the largest successor to a founding member of the Movement. Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, was the site of the first NAM summit, held in 1961. That is why I have proposed that the fiftieth anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement be celebrated in Belgrade with an extraordinary summit under the auspices of the Egyptian chairmanship.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Let there be no doubt that we will remain committed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of that neighbouring country, as we will to those of all other United Nations Member States in the region and across the world. In short, as the strategic anchor of stability in the Western Balkans, Serbia will invest even greater efforts in completing the democratic transformation of our part of Europe. Serbia’s robust European vision is complemented by our strong determination to pursue a carefully balanced, artfully executed and active foreign policy aimed at engagement with nations throughout the world, near and far. That is in our long-term interest and will not change.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“This goes beyond our wildest dreams, even at a time of economic challenges and political demoralization. That is because the values that unite us are strong and just. (spoke in English) In that context, let me underline the necessity of strengthening regional cooperation. In June, Serbia hosted 15 heads of State during the Central European Summit, whose main topic was the interdependence of the economy, EU integration and energy. That demonstrated our commitment to acting constructively and working closely together with neighbouring countries to ensure that regional peace is consolidated. With regard to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia is a guarantor of the Dayton Agreement.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“That is an important reason why Serbia will shortly complete its full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia: it is a legal and moral obligation towards victims, towards ourselves and, above all, towards future generations. As the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall approaches, we must not forget that the objective of uniting all the nations of Europe under the same roof has not yet been attained. Much remains to be done. Expansion fatigue must not emerge as a new reality in Europe. Solidarity must remain a high priority. It will never be time to consider an exit strategy with regard to the Western Balkans. Permit me to stress that the facts are clear. All benefit from expansion: old and new members, as well 09-52470 4 as potential members of the EU.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“These are values that proclaim freedom of movement for all citizens of Serbia in the Schengen area, the tangible result of our process of entry into the EU, which we hope to see implemented on 1 January 2010. This will bring us closer to Europe, for the right to travel without a visa is to the citizens of Serbia the expression of what the EU means on a daily basis. But these are also values that have led us to modernize our administration, to adopt exemplary legislation in areas such as anti-discrimination and the protection of minorities, and to redouble our efforts towards regional reconciliation.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“The basis of our strategic approach to national development is the call for all European nations to share their common destiny. On many occasions our actions, in very difficult circumstances, have proved our determination to become a member of the European Union (EU). Despite setbacks, our core strategic priority remains that of attaining EU membership, not merely on grounds of geography, heritage or economic prosperity, but also because of the essential values that we share. These are values that proclaim soft power in foreign policy and the primacy of law in domestic affairs; achieving consensus in Brussels and standards of human rights throughout the EU.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“I call on all responsible stakeholders invested in the future of Kosovo to work more closely with the Government of Serbia on implementing in full the Secretary-General’s six-point plan (S/2008/354, annex I), which was welcomed by the Security Council in November 2008. This is a time for leadership and working together, not for increasing the divide. We all have our constraints, and they should be respected. Let us create new opportunities for achieving practical results, by engaging with one another on a host of concrete questions for the benefit of all residents of Kosovo province, including the Serbs — the community most at risk in all of Europe. (spoke in French) Democracy in Serbia is sound; our society rests on a solid foundation and our values have been strongly confirmed by law.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“By maintaining respect for my country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, together we will help ensure that international law continues to close in on the issue of unilateral declarations of independence. Serbia’s decision to turn to the International Court of Justice to contest the Kosovo issue has been complemented by a policy of constructive engagement with all legitimate actors on the ground in Kosovo. We maintain support for a reconfigured United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and its continuing indispensability. We have also welcomed a status-neutral European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX), working in our southern province on the basis of Security Council resolution 1244 (1999), which continues to operate under the overall authority of the United Nations.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“As we know, all five permanent members of the Security Council have confirmed their participation in the public hearings before the International Court of Justice. It is in this context that I appeal to all Member States to respect the fact that the Court continues to be actively engaged on the issue. Its deliberations should not be prejudged and its work should not be obstructed. The Court’s proceedings have to be allowed to run their course without political pressure, such as any further recognition of Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence. On behalf of the Republic of Serbia, I encourage all non-recognizing Member States to stay the course.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“The case marks the first time in the history of the Court that it has been asked to consider the legality of an attempt at secession by an ethnic group from a United Nations Member State. There is 3 09-52470 no doubt that the Court’s conclusions will constitute a powerful legal precedent, with overarching consequences for the United Nations system. The outcome will either strongly deter other separatist movements from attempting to secede, or produce a result that could encourage them to act in a similar fashion. Plainly stated, should Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence be allowed to stand, a door would open for challenging the territorial integrity of any United Nations Member State. The uniquely important nature of this case has been acknowledged by the international community.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)