Vucic Addresses UNGA: Kosovo and Metohija Is an Inseparable Part of Serbia, the Main Pillar of Its Identity and Culture

This year’s 80th autumn session of the General Assembly gathered the largest number of participants so far, with more than 140 officials in attendance.

President Vucic spoke immediately after Argentine President Javier Milei.

"I am very honored to address this 80th anniversary session of the General Assembly of the United Nations on behalf of the Republic of Serbia. This year we mark eight decades of the existence of the World Organization, and during that period the UN has provided a framework for dialogue, cooperation and solidarity among the nations, short of which it would not be possible to respond to the challenges of our day", said the President of Serbia at the beginning of his speech.

As he noted, after 80 years this is a time both for reflection and for sincerity.

"The UN should not be a stage where giants wrestle while smaller countries hold their breath. It should be a roundtable where every seat counts. Countries like ours, countries that belong to Global South, are too often treated as chess pieces. It's time to show that we can be conveners, innovators and guarantors of cooperation. We may not have the loudest voice, but we often have the clearest vision, because we see both East and West at once. Our engagement with all partners does not mean blind agreement. It means respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the belief that dialogue is stronger than division. Serbia is a reliable, predictable partner, but reciprocity matters. We will defend our autonomy as firmly as we defend cooperation. The United Nations Charter was not written to serve one moment in history, it was written to withstand the test of time" Vucic said.

President Vucic offered Belgrade as a venue for dialogue on conflicts across the world.

"In a world facing deep geopolitical fractures, the United Nations Charter remains the only framework capable of holding us together. Serbia is not a buffer zone, it is a bridge, and bridges connect, they do not divide. Therefore, as the President of Serbia, for the first time I would like to offer Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, as a place of dialogue for all the conflicts around the world. I believe that we will offer the best possible hospitality and absolute security for the participants", said Vucic.

Foto: Tanjug/AP Photo/Richard Drew

He stated that Serbia wishes to highlight the importance of respecting the fundamental principles and rules of the United Nations Charter.

"Perhaps it is only too proper to repeat today what we committed to eight decades ago. The principles and rules of the Charter are valid equally for all states, large or small, for all political powers or levels of development. With a feeling of deep pride, my country continues to commit to a consistent implementation of international norms, notwithstanding the fact that it too is facing a lack of fairness and double standards. In words and deeds, and on a number of occasions, Serbia has recommitted to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all UN member states, the fundamental principles of the Charter", he declared, adding:

"The consequences of such actions of those who consider themselves untouchable at the time are felt today as well. Even though small in respect of global power, Serbia is not deterred from commitment to the principles of international law. We firmly believe that they should be respected in every situation, without exception and selectivity".

He also pointed to Serbia’s persistence in upholding international law.

"Serbia will continue advocating those principles, as the observance of the respective is the only reliable way to peace and stability. This rostrum and this occasion are the best opportunity to reiterate that my country will never forget its history, its people, its sanctities. Kosovo and Metohija is an inseparable part of Serbia, the main pillar of its identity, culture and spiritual heritage. For us Serbs, it is not only a piece of land, it is the cradle of our spirituality and our existence on that land over centuries. Our concern is not only moral and historical, it is humane too. It is with a heavy heart that I advise of the dramatic circumstances in which the Serbs of Kosovo live today. Day in, day out, they are denied basic human rights, the right to life, freedom of movement, the right to education and health protection, access to workplace and property. They live in isolation, basic foods and medicines are in short supply, while children grow up in a fear and uncertainty. Their situation is not only local by nature, it touches upon the conscience of the entire international community and is a test of its readiness to fend for the innocent and helpless", Aleksandar Vucic said.

Stop Violence Against Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija

He emphasized that if the violence endured by Serbs is tolerated, it cannot lead to good outcomes.

"We witness ethnic violence suffered by the Serbs almost every day. It is frightening in size and scope. The Serbs are physically attacked, intimidated, arrested unlawfully, their property is confiscated and their rights to language, education and cultural expression limited. The Serbs are often discriminated against too. The practice sets the stage to make life in Serbian communities more difficult as they are denied basic services, taxed exorbitantly and erected hurdles and obstacles too. This is aimed at creating fear and pressure and by extension change the demographic picture and force the Serbs to flee Kosovo and Metohija. Serbia therefore calls on the international community to take concrete and resolute measures to stop the violence in order to ensure security and rights of all peoples in Kosovo and Metohija. Compassion is not good enough. We need deeds and protection mechanisms".

"For exactly 30 years now", he said, "a false campaign has been ongoing against both the Republic of Serbia and Republika Srpska".

"Serbia is a free, independent and sovereign country that makes its own decisions independently. We are committed to our European path", Vucic said.

After delivering his speech, responding to a question from Newsmax Balkans journalist Ognjen Medic in New York, the President stated that Serbia would face pressure from all sides, as everyone wants it to take a stand and “choose its trenches, but we will not go into the trenches.

"We want to protect our people and our country, and we will not go into trenches, conflicts, and wars. Unfortunately, we were champions in the number of wars we endured in the 20th century. Now is the time to safeguard our people, our children, and peace. That is why we are in no hurry to enter their wars", Vucic said, adding that the path ahead will not be easy, as Serbia will not allow anyone to "claim ownership over us or drag us into their trenches".

Foto: Tanjug/AP Photo/Richard Drew

Foreign Minister of Serbia Marko Djuric followed up on Vucic’s response, stating that the Serbian delegation had lodged an official note with the United Nations because Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani “smuggled herself” into the UN building.

Djuric said that Osmani had obtained an access pass from another delegation, allowing her to enter the UN General Assembly.

As a reminder, President Aleksandar Vucic had earlier announced that he held an important and substantive conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on strengthening political dialogue between Serbia and the United States, improving economic cooperation, and addressing joint security challenges.

"The focus of the talks was on the fields of economy and trade, particularly regarding the issue of U.S. tariffs. We also discussed potential new investments, cooperation in energy and new technologies, as well as the perspectives offered by our strategic dialogue mechanism", Vucic wrote on Instagram.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic discussed deepening the partnership between the two countries, the State Department announced.

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