Serbia, 2012

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.