Prime Minister Ana Brnabic stated today that severe examples of endangering the Serbian cultural, historical and spiritual heritage in Kosovo and Metohija are proof of the important role of UNESCO in protecting and preserving heritage.

At the 41st session of the General Conference of UNESCO in Paris, Brnabic emphasized that four jewels of the Serbian medieval cultural heritage in Kosovo – Visoki Decani, Pec Patriarchate, Gracanica and Bogorodica Ljeviska, have been preserved thanks to the fact that they are inscribed on the endangered world heritage list. Hundreds of other sites and monuments are endangered.

The Serbian heritage in Kosovo and Metohija is of immeasurable importance, not only for the national identity of Serbia, but also as a part of the esteemed European and world heritage, she underlined.

"Your Excellences,
distinguished delegates,
dear Sarah,

At the very beginning, I feel obliged to thank Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Her Majesty’s Government for exceptional hospitality.

I feel privileged to represent the Republic of Serbia at this important place and at the highest-level world forum, in working on the most important topic of today – promoting climate awareness.

We all agree that we must make investment into climate and environment.

We all, likewise agree, that future generations must be educated in order not to repeat the mistakes we made, by hurting the only Planet that makes life possible.

I am very honoured that the Republic of Serbia is co-chairing this year’s Conference as a Non-EU representative of the Eastern Europe Group.

In concrete terms, we see the special contribution of our expert team in finalising negotiations on the implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which refers to the establishment of the global market and non-market mechanisms for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as well as to remaining provisions referring to advanced transparency framework and common timeframes for Nationally Determined Contributions, which are the key provisions of the Agreement that have not yet been covered by the decision that is to be adopted by the Conference, i.e. all member states.

We, therefore, believe that this is an exceptional opportunity for Serbia to give its full contribution to the finalization of negotiations, which, we hope, will secure full implementation of the Paris Agreement.

As a result of strong economic development, modelled for Serbia by 2050, the impact of the implementation of climate measures to employment will be optimal, through new jobs creation and creation of new industries which have not existed so far.

One billion euros was raised at the first green bonds auction in Serbia, which clearly confirms the trust of international investors in our green agenda, but also to the economic and political stability of our country.

Incomes from green bonds issuance will be used for financing renewables, energy efficiency, sustainable water management, prevention of pollution and circular economy development and biodiversity preservation.

And as you can see, dear friends, my people made a terrific speech for me, but I am going to add a few more words and a few more questions for those that are coming from big powers and that haven’t answered yet several questions:

Number one is: how are we going to finance all these activities?

We’ve heard the story of trillions of dollars that are at our disposal. My question would be: what would be the interest rate, what would be the terms for taking these amounts of money, and actually how are we going to tackle that issue?

Number two: how are we going to treat the nuclear power plants? Are we going to shut them all or are we going to build them more?

Then, how are we going to build more renewables if we already started endorsing populist movements against wind parks, new hydropower plants, and are we going to put in jeopardy the level of our public debt to GDP ratio if we raise huge amounts of money?

How are we going to treat natural gas, and how are we going to secure decent prices of natural gas and electricity power as well?

And, I came here using an electric car from Edinburgh to Glasgow. But, how are we going to do mining and refining of lithium, nickel, cobalt and many other very important minerals?

In the end, we all know what is our final aim, what is our final target. But, it’s not a fairytale – we’ll have to work a lot, we’ll have to be 100 per cent dedicated, and we’ll have to be more honest with each other.

The health of people living in Serbia depends directly on the implementation of this Agenda, just like the health and life of each living being on Earth depends on arrangements that will be reached here and on national implementation of the respective arrangements.

Perhaps it is the right time to listen and hear the cry of Mother Earth because if we lose this race against time, our children will inherit an irreparably polluted Planet.

Thank you very much for listening to me."

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic stated today that severe examples of endangering the Serbian cultural, historical and spiritual heritage in Kosovo and Metohija are proof of the important role of UNESCO in protecting and preserving heritage.

At the 41st session of the General Conference of UNESCO in Paris, Brnabic emphasized that four jewels of the Serbian medieval cultural heritage in Kosovo – Visoki Decani, Pec Patriarchate, Gracanica and Bogorodica Ljeviska, have been preserved thanks to the fact that they are inscribed on the endangered world heritage list. Hundreds of other sites and monuments are endangered.

The Serbian heritage in Kosovo and Metohija is of immeasurable importance, not only for the national identity of Serbia, but also as a part of the esteemed European and world heritage, she underlined.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Nikola Selaković, talked today with the State Counselor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Wang Yi.

Minister Selaković expressed satisfaction with the first bilateral visit of Minister Wang to Serbia, although the head of Chinese diplomacy had previously visited our country as a member of the delegations of the Chinese prime minister and president. This is also the first bilateral visit of the head of Chinese diplomacy to Belgrade after more than ten years. He emphasized that Serbia and China are bound by a steel friendship and a comprehensive strategic partnership, as well as mutual support in issues of essential national interest.

"I am glad that, despite the challenges that the whole world is facing due to the Covid-19 pandemic, our bilateral relations are developing unhindered, and that we have managed to preserve the intensity of political dialogue and exchange of visits at a high level", Selaković said.

He emphasized that Serbia is proud of the exceptional bilateral relations with China, which are given a special dimension by the close and friendly relations between the presidents of Serbia and China, Aleksandar Vučić and Xi Jinping.

"Our wish is that, despite the delay that occurred due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the announced visit of the Chinese president to Serbia will soon be realized", Selaković said.

Speaking about the cooperation between the two ministries of foreign affairs, Selaković pointed out that it is very good, expressing expectation that the Protocol on cooperation between the two ministries, which was signed today, will contribute to its further strengthening. He also mentioned that it would be of great importance to hold bilateral political consultations at the level of deputy ministers as soon as possible, as well as consultations in the field of consular cooperation.

The head of Serbian diplomacy emphasized that we highly appreciate China's consistent position and support for Serbia's territorial integrity and sovereignty, especially thanking them for their clear support in the UN and other international organizations and institutions. At the same time, the minister emphasized that Serbia strongly supports the policy of "one China" and the principle of "one country – two systems".

Minister Selaković pointed out that Serbia provides active and strong support to the global "Belt and Road" initiative, as well as the mechanism of cooperation between China and CEEC.

Selaković said that Serbia supports every inclusive initiative that encourages global development and provides equal opportunities to all countries, regardless of their size and population, and in that spirit, supports the "Global Development Initiative", which was presented by Chinese President Xi Jinping in his speech at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly. He added that we are convinced that the mentioned initiative will contribute to the further strengthening of multilateralism, a just international order and peaceful development, and for the benefit of all humanity.

When it comes to economic cooperation, Selaković said that China is the most important trade partner of Serbia in Asia, and expressed satisfaction that our exchange is growing steadily, especially emphasizing that trade between the two countries has tripled in the last five years.
Selaković especially said that we are happy with the successful work of Chinese companies in Serbia, work on joint projects in the field of energy and infrastructure, expressing expectation that there will be new investments of Chinese companies.

The State Counselor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, Wang Yi, pointed out that it was a great honor and pleasure for him to visit Serbia again, and thanked for the hospitality shown to him personally and the Chinese delegation.

"You are a young, very successful politician in the political life of Serbia. As the minister of foreign affairs, you are making a great contribution to the development and strengthening of our relations and steel friendship", Wang said, emphasizing that this was also his impression from the first meeting with the head of Serbian diplomacy, during Minister Selaković's visit to Guiyang in May this year.

"We met then and established a good working relationship, you sent me an invitation to visit and, as we agreed, I came to Serbia", Wang said. He emphasized that the confirmation of the extraordinary relations between the two countries is also seen in the fact that mutual visits, of Minister Selaković to China, as well as his current visit to Serbia, were realized in a period of less than half a year, which also testifies to the importance that both countries attach to mutual relations and partnership.

"Our side highly appreciates the traditional friendship, which has withstood various temptations, as well as challenges and changes at the international level", Wang said, adding that the traditional friendship between Serbia and China was renewed under the strong leadership of presidents Vučić and Xi.

"China will always be a loyal partner to Serbia. The goal of my arrival is to maintain the intensity of the in-depth strategic dialogue with the Serbian leadership and to further improve the overall cooperation", Wang said.

"Your Excellences,
distinguished delegates,
dear Sarah,

At the very beginning, I feel obliged to thank Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Her Majesty’s Government for exceptional hospitality.

I feel privileged to represent the Republic of Serbia at this important place and at the highest-level world forum, in working on the most important topic of today – promoting climate awareness.

We all agree that we must make investment into climate and environment.

We all, likewise agree, that future generations must be educated in order not to repeat the mistakes we made, by hurting the only Planet that makes life possible.

I am very honoured that the Republic of Serbia is co-chairing this year’s Conference as a Non-EU representative of the Eastern Europe Group.

In concrete terms, we see the special contribution of our expert team in finalising negotiations on the implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which refers to the establishment of the global market and non-market mechanisms for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as well as to remaining provisions referring to advanced transparency framework and common timeframes for Nationally Determined Contributions, which are the key provisions of the Agreement that have not yet been covered by the decision that is to be adopted by the Conference, i.e. all member states.

We, therefore, believe that this is an exceptional opportunity for Serbia to give its full contribution to the finalization of negotiations, which, we hope, will secure full implementation of the Paris Agreement.

As a result of strong economic development, modelled for Serbia by 2050, the impact of the implementation of climate measures to employment will be optimal, through new jobs creation and creation of new industries which have not existed so far.

One billion euros was raised at the first green bonds auction in Serbia, which clearly confirms the trust of international investors in our green agenda, but also to the economic and political stability of our country.

Incomes from green bonds issuance will be used for financing renewables, energy efficiency, sustainable water management, prevention of pollution and circular economy development and biodiversity preservation.

And as you can see, dear friends, my people made a terrific speech for me, but I am going to add a few more words and a few more questions for those that are coming from big powers and that haven’t answered yet several questions:

Number one is: how are we going to finance all these activities?

We’ve heard the story of trillions of dollars that are at our disposal. My question would be: what would be the interest rate, what would be the terms for taking these amounts of money, and actually how are we going to tackle that issue?

Number two: how are we going to treat the nuclear power plants? Are we going to shut them all or are we going to build them more?

Then, how are we going to build more renewables if we already started endorsing populist movements against wind parks, new hydropower plants, and are we going to put in jeopardy the level of our public debt to GDP ratio if we raise huge amounts of money?

How are we going to treat natural gas, and how are we going to secure decent prices of natural gas and electricity power as well?

And, I came here using an electric car from Edinburgh to Glasgow. But, how are we going to do mining and refining of lithium, nickel, cobalt and many other very important minerals?

In the end, we all know what is our final aim, what is our final target. But, it’s not a fairytale – we’ll have to work a lot, we’ll have to be 100 per cent dedicated, and we’ll have to be more honest with each other.

The health of people living in Serbia depends directly on the implementation of this Agenda, just like the health and life of each living being on Earth depends on arrangements that will be reached here and on national implementation of the respective arrangements.

Perhaps it is the right time to listen and hear the cry of Mother Earth because if we lose this race against time, our children will inherit an irreparably polluted Planet.

Thank you very much for listening to me."