Serbian lawmaker questions Albanian consulate, cites national interest concerns

Aleksandar Ivanović, a lawmaker with the People's Movement of Serbia (NPS), has voiced concerns regarding the planned opening of an Albanian consulate in Bujanovac, Serbia. While not opposing the consulate itself if it aligns with Serbian interests and reciprocity, Ivanović highlighted a deeper issue: a perceived lack of trust in the current Serbian government's ability to protect national interests.

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There is no problem with the opening of the Albanian consulate in Bujanovac, if it is in line with Serbia's interests and the principle of reciprocity, but the problem is that the current Serbian government's citizens no longer believe it protects state interests.

Ivanović questioned the rationale behind allowing an Albanian consulate in Bujanovac while a Serbian consulate in Shkodër, Albania, is reportedly not permitted. He argued that Serbia must uphold policies that respect and protect the rights of all national minorities. However, he accused the current administration of "trading national interests for years" to gain favor with certain international powers and prolong their time in office.

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Why is the Albanian consulate in Bujanovac possible, and the Serbian consulate in Shkodër allegedly not?

As an example of this alleged trade-off, Ivanović pointed to the ongoing situation in Kosovo and Metohija. He contrasted the actions of Pristina's authorities, who he claims are destroying Serbian property at Gazivode Lake, with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić's behavior, which he described as "eating roasted meat, drinking, and singing patriotic songs under tents."

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Serbia must pursue a state policy that respects and protects the rights and interests of all national minorities, but the problem is that the government has been trading national interests for years to secure the favor of certain international centers of power and thus extend its stay in power.

Furthermore, Ivanović criticized the recent visit of the Albanian president to southern Serbia, specifically Bujanovac and Preševo. He noted the presence of armed security personnel and prominent Albanian flags, creating an atmosphere akin to being in Tirana rather than Serbia. He also observed that media outlets close to the government largely ignored this event.

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While Pristina authorities, led by Albin Kurti, are destroying Serbian property at Gazivode Lake, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić is eating roasted meat, drinking, and singing patriotic songs under tents.