ANTONOVIĆ: SECURITY OF SERBS IN KOSOVO AND METOHIJA THREATENED

BANJA LUKA, APRIL 12 /SRNA/ - Research associate at the Institute of Serbian Culture from Leposavić and security expert Ratomir Antonović told SRNA there is a negative narrative and attitude towards the Serb people in Republika Srpska and Kosovo and Metohija, with the security being threatened in the southern Serbian province.

"Particularly, if we are talking about southern enclaves where Serbs have no rights. Serbs living in Kosovo and Metohija live thanks to President Aleksandar Vučić, the Government and the Office for Kosovo and Metohija," Antonović said in SRNA podcast.

He says that the support of Serbia’s institutions is crucial for the survival of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija.

"When we look at the situation in Republika Srpska, the security here is at a satisfactory level, but we see that the collective characteristics of Serbs is a target. We can see this through court processes as well as attacks from another entity," Antonović believes.

He cites as absurd the fact that, considering the situation in BiH, Bosniak politicians respect self-declared Kosovo and politicians.

"BiH did not recognize independent Kosovo thanks to Republika Srpska, which did not allow it to happen," Antonović said.

THE CASE OF SELF-DECLAFRED KOSOVO OPENED PANDORA'S BOX

The research associate at the Institute of Serbian Culture from Leposavić and a security expert told SRNA the self-proclamation of Kosovo and the recognition that followed from certain countries opened Pandora's Box because there are many unresolved territorial issues in many countries of the world.

"The recognition of Kosovo creates a dangerous precedent and will only create problems in the future," Antonović believes.

Speaking about the writing of certain media about the withdrawal of a significant part of soldiers and equipment from the US Bondsteel base, Antonović states that he does not believe that such a scenario is planned as it is one of the largest bases in the region with an excellent strategic location.

"There is the EU, but also the East. It is in a perfect place if we are talking from the point of the USA’s view. We are witnessing a change of course in the USA, but we should not rejoice too soon", stated Antonović.

ADMISSION TO EU WILL BE SELECTIVE, POLITICAL PROCESSES WILL DECIDE, NOT FULFILLED REQUIREMENTS

Antonović assessed for SRNA that the new membership in the EU will be decided by political processes, not by the formal fulfillment of the requirements that Brussels has put before the candidate states.

"We see that there has been talk of accelerated admission of Ukraine to the EU. Admission to NATO will be a bit more difficult, but I think that they have better opportunities in the EU," Antonović said.

He believes that there is no political will in Brussels for Serbia and BiH to join the EU.

"North Macedonia has even less of a chance. All countries strive for membership, but I'm not sure, if a referendum were to be called, how many people would be willing to join the EU. If we were admitted, we certainly wouldn't be admitted under the same conditions as other member states. It would just be a new mechanism of blackmail," said Antonović.

He says that BRICS represents serious competition for the EU because it brings together economically strong countries, and that BRICS membership would be beneficial.

"I have the impression that we would be better accepted in BRICS. The EU has serious problems in the functioning of individual member states. We have disagreements with the central policy in Brussels. The EU is in its decline in every sense of the word," Antonović believes.

He said that in turbulent times, Republika Srpska and Serbia must remain consistent with the policy of protecting their own interests, which does not imply antagonism towards other nations.

"Republika Srpska did not threaten anyone. We saw that the president of Serbia also supported President Milorad Dodik in this difficult moment. This is a test for the Serb people. If anything bad happens to the officials of Srpska and Serbia, I think the Serb people will sense it and experience a big fiasco because the enemies will know how to use it," noted Antonović.

He says that the unity of the people is a formula for the survival of the Serbs, as well as a clear policy that does not imply a struggle for power, but for a better political position of the people.

"If anyone thinks that they will profit by having Milorad Dodik removed or arrested, they are very much mistaken. For the survival of Republika Srpska and Serbia, changes at this moment would not be useful," concluded Antonović.