PM Vucevic: I don’t see the point of the Miredita, Dobar Dan! festival

When asked why the state was unable to guarantee the safe conduct of the Miredita, Dobar dan! festival, Vucevic told reporters in Krusevac that the Serbian Interior Ministry and the Security Intelligence Agency (BIA) had evaluated a substantial risk of public disorder that could have endangered individuals and property.

“It is the state’s obligation, right, and duty to make such decisions,” said Vucevic following the state celebration of St Vitus Day, adding that he fails to see the point of one such festival in Serbia, and that “ministers has different proposals.”

“I said the best response to them is contempt because they were preparing to present contempt, they did not intend to send any good messages to Serbs and Serbia. They promote the idea that a part of our territory is independent and remain silent on the suffering of the Serbs,” said the prime minister.

He added Belgrade, as a territory, was prepared to host a festival of that kind, while on the other hand, Office for Kosovo head Petar Petkovic was denied entry to Kosovo on St Vitus Day.

“Having civil war in the streets, chaos, it isn’t worth it,” said Vucevic, adding it was assessed that not having the festival was the best decision so as to avoid “protecting those who label us terrorists, criminals and a genocidal people while our police officers, property and people suffer.”

He said he does not know how many times that festival has been held in Belgrade, but that he believes Serbia has shown its openness by hosting it.

“We tried to do all in our power so Belgrade and Serbia also accept those who do not have good intentions toward our state and our people,” said Vucevic, adding that the festival participants who entered Serbia from Kosovo were kept safe by the police.