Serbian MFA: Kosovo-Metohija bills aimed at protecting Serbs' rights, social security

BELGRADE - Serbia's MFA said on Friday Serbian bills on the Autonomous Province of Kosovo-Metohija, characterised by the US State Department and the German MFA as violation of the dialogue with Pristina, were intended to safeguard the rights and social security of Serbs in the province, aligning with Serbia's broader commitment to stability in the region.

"Even in the UN Resolution adopted by the General Assembly, by which the EU assumed the role of facilitator for the Dialogue, it is stipulated that the Dialogue should aim to improve people’s lives.

With proposed measures, Belgrade seeks precisely this goal — to enhance the living conditions and quality of life for Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija," the MFA said in a statement.

"Serbia is committed to constructive and open dialogue with all our partners, including the EU, US and the UK, as well as other international partners, and values transparent and public communication in resolving sensitive issues," it said.

"The issue of status should never take precedence over human rights — that have been heavily breached by a series of uncoordinated and unilateral actions by the government of Albin Kurti — nor over the push for implementation of existing agreements.

While remaining very concerned for the wellbeing of the Serbian people and other communities, we also very much hope that public reactions to Belgrade’s legitimate efforts to assist those who are suffering as a result of unilateral and uncoordinated actions will not be interpreted as further encouragement for such actions.

Serbia remains fully engaged in the Dialogue process and is committed to the implementation of all the agreements, including the Community of Serb-Majority Municipalities.

We believe that all parties, including our international partners, should support an open and collaborative approach to ensure that the Dialogue remains effective and mutually respectful.

Only a fair and balanced approach to the Dialogue and the implementation of existing agreements will foster trust and help us collectively build a stable and secure future.

We invite further constructive conversations with all parties involved to address any concerns directly and in good faith.

Serbia is, as always, prepared to work towards a peaceful, stable, and secure future for all peoples and communities in the region," the statement also said.

In a post on X, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Thursday a bill on legal jurisdiction in Kosovo-Metohija, adopted by the Serbian government, violated obligations from the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue.

"We agree with the EU that Serbia’s draft legislation claiming legal jurisdiction in Kosovo violates Dialogue obligations.

Kosovo and Serbia each should implement the 2023 agreement including the Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities, and the Dialogue’s solutions for all citizens, including Serbs in Kosovo," Miller wrote in the post.

Earlier, EU spokesperson Nabila Masrali said the adoption of the bill on jurisdiction in Kosovo-Metohija and a bill declaring the province an area of special social protection violated Belgrade's obligations from the dialogue.

The Serbian government adopted on October 28 a bill declaring the Autonomous Province of Kosovo-Metohija an area of special social protection, as well as a bill on the organisation and jurisdiction of the judiciary in prosecution of crimes committed in the province.