Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Rasim Ljajić said that the protection of Serbian property in Kosovo and Metohija is of the highest priority and that it must be put on the agenda of the upcoming talks with Priština in Brussels.

“Priština will try to avoid this issue by all means, and part of the international community will do the same. But Belgrade has invested a lot in infrastructure and businesses in Kosovo and we have no right to give all that up,” Deputy Prime Minister Ljajić told “Novosti”.

In an answer to the question how Serbia plans to protect the property in Trepča, Ljajić said that “if we are ready to solve many issues in which we generally make the concessions that gives us the right to put this important topic on the table in Brussels. We will not give up that demand.”

In an answer to the question why the EU is punishing Serbia for the slow implementation of the Brussels Treaty by moving the dates for opening chapters, Ljajić said that there were delays in the implementation of the agreement, because Priština had organized elections.

“Serbia is not to blame. It is wrong that the pressure is only on Belgrade. It should be noted that Priština is obstructing the formation of the Association of Serbian municipalities” said Ljajić.

Commenting on the fact that the issue of the dialing code for Kosovo is still not resolved, Rasim Ljajić said that both negotiating parties pledged to respect the principles and standards of the International Telecommunication Union.

“However, Priština would like the dialing code to be assigned to them with Serbia being completely excluded from the process. This is contrary to the rules of the International Union,” said Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia Rasim Ljajić.