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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Serbia respects norms of international law

Belgrade, 25 February 2022

President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic announced tonight in his address to the public the conclusions adopted at the session of the National Security Council concerning the crisis in Ukraine.

Vucic stated that, on the basis of Article 5, paragraph 2 of the Law on Organisation of Security Services of the Republic of Serbia, the National Security Council, starting from its role in protecting national security, at its session of 25 February 2022, made a conclusion that the government will adopt in the next 48 hours.

The conclusion states:

1. The Republic of Serbia sincerely regrets everything that is happening in Eastern Europe. Russia and Ukraine have always been friendly states for the Republic of Serbia, and the Serbian people consider Russians and Ukrainians as brotherly nations. We perceive the loss of every person's life in Ukraine as a real tragedy.

2. The Republic of Serbia is committed to respecting the principles of territorial integrity and political independence of states, as one of the basic principles of international law contained in the United Nations Charter and the Helsinki Final Act (1975), which guarantees the right of states to inviolability of borders.

3. Starting from Article 16 of the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia, which stipulates that the foreign policy of the Republic of Serbia is based on generally accepted rules and principles of international law, one of the basic principles of the foreign policy of the Republic of Serbia is consistent respect for the inviolability of sovereign integrity. While being committed to preserving the sovereignty and integrity of its territory, the Republic of Serbia is also committed to respecting the territorial integrity of other sovereign states and the principle that borders can be changed only in accordance with the rules of international law.

4. The Republic of Serbia has always pursued a responsible and principled foreign policy and has paid dearly for its commitment to the principles and rules of international law, including the principle of territorial integrity, because it was exposed not only to measures, but also the aggression of 19 NATO countries. Despite all that, the position of the Republic of Serbia in international relations has always been and remains legally and politically flawless, responsible and principled. Due to its consistency in respecting the principles of international law, no objection can be addressed to the Republic of Serbia.

5. In accordance with its current policy of advocating for consistent and principled respect for the principles of international law and the inviolability of borders, the Republic of Serbia provides full and principled support for respect for the principles of territorial integrity of Ukraine.

6. The fundamental principle of modern international law is the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes and refraining from the threat and use of armed force against the territorial integrity and political independence of any state and in any manner inconsistent with the Charter of the United Nations. Guided by the basic principles on which it bases its foreign policy, the Republic of Serbia considers it very wrong to violate the territorial integrity of any country, including Ukraine.

7. Despite the provocations that often come from the countries and entities in the Western Balkans, the Republic of Serbia remains consistent in respecting the principles of its Constitution that its foreign policy is based on generally accepted principles and rules of international law and constantly advocates to preserve peace in the region at all costs. The Republic of Serbia considers that the preservation of peace and stability is of key importance for the progress of its economy, as well as for the biological survival of its citizens. That is why the policy of the Republic of Serbia must be even more careful and lenient towards irresponsible statements and actions coming from the region, because preserving peace is a vital interest of the Serbian people and citizens of the Republic of Serbia.

8. Assuming that its primary duty is to devote all its efforts to preserving the peace and well-being of its citizens, the Republic of Serbia will, when considering the need for possible restrictive measures or sanctions against any state, including the Russian Federation, be guided solely by the protection of its citizens. vital economic and political interests. As a country that has experienced Western sanctions in the recent past and whose compatriots in Republika Srpska are suffering sanctions today, the Republic of Serbia believes that it is not in its vital political and economic interest to impose sanctions on any country, including its representatives or economic entities.

9. Starting from the principle of military neutrality of the Republic of Serbia, and bearing in mind the fearful pressures to which the state of Serbia is exposed, it is necessary to immediately stop all planning and exercise activities of the Serbian Army and the Ministry of Interior with foreign partners, and that no such activities take place until further notice.

10. In accordance with Article 13 of the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia, which provides for the obligation of the Republic of Serbia to protect the interests of its citizens abroad, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will cooperate with other competent state bodies.

11. All state bodies and officials of the Republic of Serbia are hereby reminded of their legal obligation to refrain from inciting and helping individuals to take part in the conflicts in Eastern Europe. The competent state authorities will take all measures to prevent the participation of the citizens of the Republic of Serbia, the so-called volunteers, in the conflicts in Eastern Europe and will sanction all citizens who do not comply with the legal prohibitions of Articles 386a and 386b of the Criminal Code.

12. The Republic of Serbia shall, of course, provide all kinds of humanitarian aid to the endangered people and population of Ukraine.

13. The competent state bodies shall, in accordance with their powers, take all measures to ensure in the time ahead that citizens and the economy are supplied with the necessary amount of energy, oil and oil derivatives, gas, but also food and other necessities for a decent and dignified life.

14. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will acquaint the diplomatic and consular missions of the Republic of Serbia abroad with this conclusion and give them instructions to strictly adhere to this conclusion in their actions.

15. This conclusion shall be delivered to the General Secretariat of the government of the Republic of Serbia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Justice, the General Staff of the Serbian Army, the Security Information Agency, the Military Security Agency and the Military Intelligence Agency.

The conclusion of the National Security Council was signed by President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic.