Unimproveable Serbia: We do not recognise Kosovo, we do not want NATO membership

These are the most important parts of the National Security Strategy and Defence Strategy Draft published by the Ministry of Defence, and which public debate is being held on Friday and will continue until May 15th.
As the Belgrade newspaper “Blic” writes, the participants in the discussion were representatives of state bodies, experts and all interested parties, while the text of both drafts will be presented at roundtables and expert discussions in Novi Sad, Nis and Belgrade, Telegraphed.

Military analyst Bojan Dimitrijevic participated in drafting two strategies 14 years ago, so he noticed only one significant change from that time.

These are very conservative documents in which the state provides a fundamental mirror of the security situation and assessment of security risks. Compared to 2004 identically challenges have been assessed in the region, except since then Serbia was more clearly moving towards NATO integration, while since 2008 and Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence is dominant for determining military neutrality”, Dimitrijevic says.

According to him, despite the fact that it is about clearly defined framework documents, these strategies should not be binding for the political leader.

“over the past two decades has shown that new unforeseen security risks and challenges can always arise, and in line with circumstances, these strategies are subject to changes. Hence, in these documents, Serbia expresses completely principled views, almost as many as all countries in the world. Only the United States and to some extent Germany express open views in these strategies. These strategies should be binding for citizens, but in practice they are not”, Dimitrijevic explains.

Interestingly, both strategies can be adopted almost at the same time, when President Aleksandar Vuciq will offer his solution to Kosovo.

Vuciq said last week that he is not sure that in late April, as repeatedly warned, he will offer a solution for Kosovo, but that he can “ensure that he will work hard to reach a” compromise. The president noted that the solution for Kosovo “will not be painless for Serbs”, and that his proposal will be “received in cythics, both in the region, Europe and the world, and also in Serbia”, Telegrafi follows.

Part of the National Security Strategy and Defence Strategy Project published by Serbia's Defence Ministry:

O TSK and Panquaded Movement

Serbia co-operates with the OTSK (Colative Security Treaty Organization) to contribute to global stability and security, in line with military neutrality policy. Serbia aims to improve confidence with O TSK in order to achieve common goals. As one of the founders of the Panquaded Movement Serbia will continue to develop relations with its members.

Integration in EU Policy

The advance of national security and defence through the European integration process contributes to Serbia's full membership in the European Union.

It is determined that within the accession process, it will contribute to the common foreign, security and defence policy of the European Union and integrate into European policy concepts.

Brussels Agreement

Preservation of the Autonomous District of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia is an important issue for Serbia. Serbia will not recognise its southern province's unilaterally declared independence, but in the interest of regional stability and possible Serbian-Albanian good relations will continue dialogue with the provisional institutions in Pristina with the EU's mediation to reach stable and mutually acceptable agreements. Serbia is committed to the consistent implementation of all agreements reached under the Brussels Agreement. With the work active in international organisations and bilateral co-operation, efforts will be made to prevent membership and affirm unilaterally declared independence for Kosovo and Metohija in international organisations, especially in the UN.

Kosovo in line with Resolution 1244

The normalisation of the situation and relations in the Autonomous Wing of Kosovo and Metohija significantly contributes to preserving the stability and security of Serbia and its citizens. Serbia will provide full support for Serb participation in the work of provisional institutions in Pristina. With the aim of protecting the Serbian and non-Albanian population and increasing the security of all citizens of the province, all necessary measures will be taken in accordance with UN Resolution 1244.

Serbia will continue to participate actively in a series of regional initiatives that contribute to accelerating the progress of all participants towards EU membership. Especially important is the process that leads to concrete results in priority areas: economy, infrastructure, energy, youth co-operation...

Against Kosovo Army

Serbia engages in the non-minor presence of KFOR and opposes changing the mandate and transforming armed formations called the Kosovo Security Force, the Armed Forces, because this would destabilise the situation in Kosovo and Metohija and undermine security in the region.

Relations With the UN

Co-operation will also be continued with key international actors, above all with permanent members of the UN Security Council.

UN headquarters in New York

Serbia is designated for strengthening dialogue and co-operation with traditional partners, developing economies and developed countries, with which it links a number of joint projects in the fields of economy, culture, education, science and sports. Within bilateral and multilateral co-operation with these countries, the focus will be on continuing their position of not recognising Kosovo's independence.

Not in NATO

In order to contribute to global, European and regional stability, Serbia co-operates with NATO through the Partnership for Peace programme, applying military neutrality, meaning lack of membership in military-political alliances.

Its neutrality is not an obstacle to developing partnership co-operation in NATO's Partnership for Peace programme. Serbia does not intend to become a NATO member, or another military-political alliance, but wants to boost confidence with all its partners and achieve common goals. Co-operation with NATO and KFOR and the other international presence is very important for the protection of the Serbian population, cultural and religious heritage, peace and security in Kosovo. /Telegraphy/