Embassy of The Republic of Serbia in the Islamic Republic of Iran

March 24, 2019 - the 20th anniversary of the NATO bombing of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic attended the opening of the IV International Conference BELGRADE STRATEGIC DIALOGUE where he also spoke about the bombing that began on March 24, 1999

18.03.2019

President Vucic said that in 1999, many in the West needed a conflict with Yugoslavia, and that it was necessary to show the supremacy of the Western hemisphere, but then began to create a different, multipolar world.
"Today we have a multipolar world, the United States is the economically most powerful, but it is approaching China, we have Russia, Europe is an economic power." The bombing showed that King was right, how violence can bring immediate victory, but not lasting peace. That happened in Kosovo and Metohija - the authority was changed in the territory, but peace did not come in. The sovereignty has changed, and NATO has the authority there, which allows the Albanians to govern Kosovo, but the coexistence has not been created, "said President Vucic, adding that in Kosovo and Metohija there is a kind of ghetto for the Serbs and Albanians who can only hate each other, but with supervision.
"It is not a solution but a delay in solution and it does not provide security. I am afraid that it will remain so until we become aware and responsible enough to solve problems ourselves." We need a new conscience, not tutoring. We need to understand that victory is not in losing of the others, but we have to give up from the maximalist demands. We have no such situation - Serbia is required to accept the results of aggression, but we will not do it, "the Serbian President stressed, adding that there is no pressure that would force Belgrade to cross the national pride and dignity.

"Serbia is waiting for dialogue and conversation, but someone has to explain to the Albanians that they can not achieve anything without talking with Serbia. They do not see it, they see salvation in conversation with Washington, but, I hope that will change," he said.

„We believe in the strength of our Army and we have survived many things that we can not forget. We were not sinless, but Serbia did not deserve NATO aggression, it was an unlawful act directed against the international order, "said President Vucic, adding that UN Resolution 1244 is not respected and that on the one hand there is a legal order, and on the other hand violence. He reiterated that Serbia wants good relations with NATO, but that it does not want to join NATO.
"This is our choice, freedom and right, and we make a decision on our own destiny," said President Vucic.

"Thank you because today you want to talk in a much more professional manner about what is ahead of us. It is crucial that we see where we were wrong, but also that we are not ashamed of condemning the NATO aggression." NATO aggression was a grave crime against a small country and a proud nation. We are now defunct and I'm sure of the future of our country, "concluded President Vucic.