Serbia

Your presidency of the General Assembly at its sixty-seventh session, Sir, is a great honour for Serbia. In congratulating you on the appointment to that post, I express my belief that you will discharge such responsible duties with full commitment to respect for the values and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. I am sure that you, Mr. President, will rise to the tasks entrusted to you by all Member States that supported your appointment. The Republic of Serbia pays particular attention to strengthening cooperation within the framework of the United Nations. The Charter of the United Nations, which unites us, its purposes and principles and the international system based on it are the only foundation for the development of international relations, the promotion of human rights and the maintenance of peace and security. Those purposes cannot become obsolete. They must always remain current, and therefore require that we be resolute in our goal to join forces and efforts in order to ensure a brighter and safer future for all humanity. The world in which we live and the changes brought about by development in many areas on a daily basis make it incumbent upon us to change together and to face the numerous challenges that none of us can deal with individually. For that reason, we must always bear in mind the responsibilities vested in us as the representatives of our countries and the consequences of the decisions that we take. The challenges facing the world have been further exacerbated by the continuing global crisis having longer lasting consequences than expected. Today, more than ever before, we need cooperation and understanding in order to overcome problems and to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. We have no choice but to get to grips with problems and end the recession, which can be measured against the crisis of the 1930s, and to hope that it will not last longer than that calamity. The crisis, from banking to the balance of payments, mortgages and debts, is affecting all countries without exception. However, by far the greatest burden is borne by the most vulnerable: poor countries and countries in transition that have not even caused it. We are faced with a serious threat to international integration and to the further definition of national and supranational policies. The problem is not insoluble. The solution lies in greater responsibility, coordinated international activities and the appropriate correlation between the actions of countries and their national interests. The growing poverty in many countries and the widening gap between the rich and the poor are becoming increasingly alarming and an unwarranted and unacceptable trait of the great scientific and technological progress of the modern world. In many cases, we see sanctions and isolation exacerbating the problem. Poverty reduction is one of the Millennium Development Goals. In that context, I would like to point out the importance of support for and solidarity with underdeveloped and developing countries. We need solidarity. Be mindful that today, poverty and starvation are not only a characteristic of underdeveloped countries. The continuing global economic crisis has also highlighted the issues of poverty and a lack of food and drinking water in some developed and, until recently, wealthy countries. Those phenomena are, at the same time, a real source of serious security risks. Consequently, I take this opportunity to call upon the rich and powerful countries drawing special benefit from globalization to direct a part of their wealth towards the economic and social development of underdeveloped countries. A more equitable distribution of assets, solidarity and support to underdeveloped and developing countries should be jointly agreed upon along, with systematically planned and organized solutions. Such measures would foster implementation of the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations in the real world of today. An economy based on renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, responsible utilization of resources and socially responsible commerce would significantly contribute to reducing poverty and starvation in the world. I underline our political commitment to the idea of sustainable development and welcome the initiative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations regarding renewable energy sources for all. I hope that it, along with other provisions of the Declaration adopted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, will be among the agenda items to which the General Assembly will pay special attention at its sixty-seventh session. I consider it our joint obligation to preserve planet Earth in a way that it deserves. The idea of a better world involves this planet that we will preserve for the next generation. We should understand that the Earth should be treated like a living organism, and we can only hope for the better if we look after it on a daily basis. Within the limits of its possibilities, Serbia will contribute to research into renewable sources of energy, devoting special attention to the education of younger generations on ways of achieving harmony among efforts in planet conservation, development and profit. Climate change is one of the problems affecting us today that we were not sufficiently aware of in the past. In the opinion of many, climate change is the direct consequence of irresponsible behaviour on the part of mankind towards nature and the immediate environment. I wish to stress our principled position that it is the collective obligation of all of us to fight the negative impact of climate change through cooperation, tireless research, the sharing of knowledge and experience and by defining and strictly applying measures designed to respond to the new climatic conditions. The survival and progress of mankind are the eternal ideals of each human community, while sustainable development is a necessary precondition to achieving those ideals. Poverty, famine and limited access to clean water pose grave threats to human health. Anything is possible for a healthy man, although he may have many problems; however a sick man has only one problem — how to get healthy. Therefore, I would like to particularly emphasize the importance of quality medical care for children and women, in particular mothers, as well as the importance of the continuing struggle against all communicable and non-communicable diseases. When it comes to the progress of humanity, the importance of education must not be ignored. I believe that investing in education is the best way to invest in future development. Furthermore, access to knowledge and education should not be the privilege of the chosen, but the standard available to all. Only when a computer and book replace a gun in the hands of young people will happier pages of human history be written. For several decades, my country has spared no effort in contributing, within its capabilities, to multinational operations mandated by the United Nations. Thousands of Serbian soldiers have been deployed in missions to all continents. Even today, under new national legislation in line with modern defence and security strategies, members of the Serbian Army and the Serbian police are taking part in the international effort to keep the peace from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire, to Lebanon, Cyprus and Haiti. Our active participation in the coming period will be even greater and more visible. Despite the great efforts made by nearly all countries, terrorism continues to pose a threat to international stability. That phenomenon is not only characterized by sporadic attacks, but today represents a danger to the core values of the United Nations and a threat to international peace, security and the rule of law. Terrorism is an attack against fundamental human rights, including the right to life and individual civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. In addition, it undermines the development of countries in every sense of the word. Given the fact that all countries are vulnerable to various manifestations of terrorism, only by joining forces will we be able to fight that evil. Serbia has aligned its legislation regulating its security sector with the relevant international instruments. Through regional cooperation, my country strives to contribute to global and regional efforts aimed at countering terrorism. In that context, it is of vital importance to make progress on the adoption of a comprehensive convention on international terrorism. At the same time, Serbia has undertaken various activities to suppress organized crime, which is often linked with terrorism, as well as to fight trafficking in narcotic drugs, human beings and arms. Encouraging dialogue among various cultures and faiths is increasingly important in today’s world. The Republic of Serbia is a country of religious people, who worship God in Christian churches and cathedrals or in mosques and synagogues. I can proudly say that my country is a place where various cultures and religions have intermingled, and spiritual and material heritages have incorporated traditions and elements derived from various completely different religious and ethnic affiliations, which have continued to intermix and whose wealth will be passed on to future generations. No one should suffer or be humiliated because of their religion. Religious feelings are sacrosanct and safeguarded as fundamental human rights. No life should be lost in religiously motivated clashes. Irresponsible individuals ridicule relics that others worship, yet certain people who have been hurt have reacted inappropriately. That is why we strongly condemn attacks on innocent people, who should be especially protected. On behalf of the Serbian people, I offer our sympathies to the United States over the killing of the United States Ambassador to Libya. Serbia plays an active role in regional organizations, including the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation. That regional cooperation mechanism is based on the principles of understanding and mutual respect aimed at achieving common goals. Serbia has successfully presided over regional initiatives, including the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, the Central European Initiative, the Migration, Asylum, Refugees Regional Initiative, the South-East European Cooperation Process and the Adriatic and Ionian Initiative. Serbia truly wishes to become a full-fledged member of the European Union (EU) and is patiently building relations of confidence and peace in a region that is burdened with the heavy legacy of the past. Serbia wishes to head for a better and more prosperous future, on an equal footing with all nations of the world. Much has been achieved so far in the implementation of reforms, the fight against crime and corruption and the harmonization of its laws with the regulations of the European Union. In that sense, Serbia has performed even better than some countries that have already become EU members. Unfortunately, despite its strong commitment to strict compliance with international law and all fundamental instruments regarding the work of the United Nations, the Republic of Serbia is now faced with a violation of certain fundamental principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations in a part of its territory. On 17 February 2008, the authorities of the self- proclaimed Republic of Kosovo unilaterally declared the independence of the territory of Serbia’s southern province. I am not a prophet, but I must say that the unilateral declaration of independence by the province of Kosovo constitutes a dangerous precedent and a long-standing threat to the stability of the region of the Western Balkans and beyond. That unilateral act also violated the bedrock principles of the Helsinki Final Act and Security Council resolution 1244 (1999). I wish to emphasize that the majority of Member States of the United Nations have refrained from recognizing the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo, thus remaining true to the obligation to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Serbia, which is an obligation derived from the Charter. I take this opportunity to express our gratitude to those countries for their support and solidarity, as well as my hope that, in spite of any pressure and with a view to maintaining peace and stability, they will not recognize any solution that is not the outcome of negotiations and a clearly defined agreement between the Serb and the Albanian parties. Serbia is a peace-loving country that is open to the east, west, north and south and has friends all over the world. It stands ready to discuss all outstanding issues with all parties and will do its utmost to ensure that all its citizens live well, including in Kosovo and Metohija. According to our Constitution, Kosovo and Metohija is an integral part of Serbia, and the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of United Nations Members form the cornerstones of key international documents. Serbia is a sovereign and independent State and a Member of the United Nations, with defined and internationally recognized borders and a part of its territory is under the administration of the family to which it belongs, the United Nations. As a Member of the United Nations, Serbia is a victim of the application of double standards. The principle of respect for territorial integrity implies the non-acceptance of bids for secession and the prevention of efforts to change the internationally recognized borders of other States. For the country I represent, peace and respect for international law come before all other interests and objectives. Political and armed violence are not nor will ever be acceptable means for achieving State interests in international affairs. Our battle against the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo and Metohija is part of the general struggle to preserve the principle of respect tor territorial integrity. Today, the struggle for the territorial integrity of Serbia is also the struggle for peace in all countries of the world and for the rule of law in international relations. Serbia is proud of having excellent and substantive relations with most countries and it is proud of its own history. As is true in all nations, some individual Serbians have made mistakes and even committed crimes. We have turned over those of our own citizens suspected of having breached international law to international justice. For that reason, we rightfully expect justice for our country and its people, who were on the side of law and justice in both World Wars. We paid a heavy price fighting fascist and totalitarian ideologies, losing almost half of our population, and we fought shoulder to shoulder with the Allies, along with whom we then founded this Organization. A community is based on justice, which implies reconciliation and trust. How is it possible that the rules of international law and justice have been violated to such an extent that, in the case of Serbs in Serbia, one can reasonably speak of discrimination? American President Dwight Eisenhower said, in a speech delivered on 31 October 1956, “There can be no peace without law and there can be no law if we were to apply one code of international conduct to those who oppose us and another for our friends.” Is it possible to have negotiations in which one party gets everything, including territory and even many of the other party’s people, and the other party gets nothing in return, except further pressure and new conditions? We are more and more frequently forced by the powerful and mighty to face the tough choice between giving up Kosovo and Metohija and membership in the European Union. What kind of a choice is that? Am I to tell our citizens that they are going to live better if they abandon their own interests? Has Serbia ever asked anyone to make such a decision? I hope that no one in this Hall will ever have to face such a choice. Serbia is seeking a lasting, sustainable and acceptable solution to all problems. It aspires to make progress towards a European future and is fully committed to a process that will result in enduring peace between Serbs and Albanians. The Republic of Serbia and myself, as its democratically elected President, are ready to participate constructively in the negotiating process, because Serbia cannot move forward without Kosovo and Metohija, and the inhabitants of Kosovo and Metohija cannot move forward without Serbia. We strongly desire that the talks be continued in good faith and with good intentions, taking into account, among other things, that it is important to carry forward European integration involving Serbia and the Western Balkans as a whole in order to ensure long-term progress and stability for the entire region. Serbia has made committments and will fulfil all obligations it has undertaken as a State in the agreements reached thus far, even though to my eye they represent essentially the wish list of the Albanian party with some concessions made by our leadership at that time under heavy pressure. At the same time, it should be understood that Serbia is not ready to recognize, and cannot nor will ever under any circumstances recognize, either explicitly or implicitly, the unilaterally declared independence of its southern province of Kosovo and Metohija. The issue of Kosovo and Metohija can be resolved and will be resolved in a peaceful manner. Serbia will enter the follow-up negotiations ready to help all citizens of Kosovo and Metohija to live a better life in democratic and secure conditions, but it will not negotiate the implementation of the independence of the so-called State of Kosovo. The situation will come to an end, even though we constantly hear that the status of Kosovo is non-negotiable and that it is not up to us to decide it. I wonder, then, what the subject matter of negotiations could be and what entity has any authority to determine it? Serbia offers a concrete proposal: direct negotiations at the highest political level. An agreement can be reached only through consensus without unilateral decisions and actions. I take this opportunity also to condemn most strongly the attempt by the so-called Republic of Kosovo to dispossess Serbs of the tangible heritage of the Serbian medieval State, the spiritual heritage of the Serbian people and the property of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the territory of the southern Serbian province of Kosovo. I can only understand the attempt to turn four monasteries of the Serbian Orthodox Church into a part of the cultural heritage of the so-called Kosovo State as an effort f lagrantly to falsify history, as historical revisionism and as an attempt to obliterate any trace of the existence of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija. I am particularly concerned over the fact that, even now in the twenty-first century, such an attempt to falsify history and to steal the cultural heritage of a nation is taking place before the very eyes of the entire international community. That sets a very dangerous precedent, encouraging each and every secessionist group in the future to take over the history of the expelled people after illegally separating the territory from the State in question. In the case of Kosovo, 220,000 people were driven out of their homes. Serbia urges an investigation into the allegations contained in the report by Mr. Dick Marty, Special Rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Some people ought to have a guilty conscious because of the fact that two years have elapsed since the publication of the report cataloguing cases of harvesting and trafficking in human organs before, during and after the events of 1999. We are simply asking for the truth. We seek to uncover the destiny of hundreds of Serbs missing from Kosovo and Metohija, who are reasonably believed to be the victims of illicit trafficking in human organs and of other crimes committed in Kosovo and Metohija. In the name of my people, I simply demand justice for the innocent victims. For the sake of the truth an investigation should be carried out, bearing in mind that Serbs were always unjustly portrayed as the sole perpetrators of crimes, and never as victims, Serbia is merely asking for the same obligations and rights for itself as for others, for the same appreciation of its interests as for those of others and for the same kind of attention to itself as to others, so as not to become unworthy of its ancestors and so as not to fail in its debt to its born and unborn children. I conclude by affirming that the Republic of Serbia will make a self less contribution to achieving the objectives of the General Assembly and its Member States. I am convinced that the accomplishment of those objectives is only possible through respect for the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and through an active involvement of all Members in the promotion of multilateral cooperation.