Belgrade and Pristina must also discuss the status of Kosovo because all the problems faced by both Serbs and Albanians are burdened by the status, said the Minister for Kosovo and Metohija, Goran Bogdanović.
"Talks are not betrayal or recognition of independent Kosovo," said Bogdanović, adding that the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina must also discuss the status of Kosovo, and that it is good to have "as many different opinions as possible" about it.
All the problems faced by both Serbs and Albanians are burdened by status. We cannot easily solve, for example, the problem of electricity, telecommunications or freedom of movement, because the question of status always arises, said Bogdanović in an interview with TV "Most", which was published on the website of that television.
"Prishtina constantly imposes this topic and constantly points out that they are independent, that they start from that position even though no one asks them about it, said the minister, adding that our desire is to discuss all issues and solve all problems in a pragmatic way, including the status of Kosovo and Metohija.
"We have a strategy and a platform, we stick to the Constitution and parliamentary resolutions on Kosovo, it is binding for us," said Bogdanović and added that the Serbian side is ready to discuss everything.
Now the scene is status quo, neither Kosovo is independent nor Serbia has any major powers in that area, he pointed out, noting that Prishtina obviously does not care to solve any issue, its goal is to delay the negotiation process.
Bogdanović said that all theses that come are being closely monitored and the more different opinions there are about the status of Kosovo, the better.
"No one should be condemned for the statement that the best solution is division or that the entire Province should be preserved as part of Serbia," he said and reminded that the idea of division has existed for more than a century.
Speaking about the freedom of movement in Kosovo, Bogdanović reminded that it depends the least on the Serbs.
"Albanians as the majority nation are responsible for that and we have to talk to them, to their political leaders. In Kosovo and Metohija there is a problem of Serbs and Albanians, not the international community and whatever we agree on they will support," said Bogdanović and emphasized "that the talks are not betrayal or recognition of independent Kosovo".
Bodanović said that the issue of traffic plates is also a topic of dialogue and that Serbia's position is clear that while the dialogue is ongoing, unilateral decisions should not be made.
"No one can forbid us to have new license plates with the designations of cities in Kosovo on our cars, and if someone from Pristina wants to raise tension by confiscating plates and personal documents with the intention of discouraging us from fighting for the preservation of Kosovo as part of Serbia, that will not succeed," said the minister.
Bogdanović announced that the next round of dialogue will deal with missing and kidnapped persons from Kosovo and Metohija
"Albanians also understood that this must be discussed not only for the sake of the families but also for the sake of the truth, because without it there is no future and progress," the minister concluded in an interview with TV "Most" from Zvečani.
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