Serbian President Boris Tadic said on Sept. 11 that the resolution passed in the U.N. General Assembly protected Serbia's right to defend its integrity and legitimate interests in Kosovo and Metohija through peaceful and diplomatic means.

"It is the most significant accomplishment of our joint efforts with representatives of the European Union which continues Serbia's integration," Tadic said at a promotion for Army of Serbia officers.

He said Serbia did not and would not recognize the illegal independence of Kosovo and stressed that the Kosovo issue could only be solved through dialog and peaceful negotiations which should lead to a mutually acceptable solution.

Stating that the Kosovo issue was very difficult, Tadic said that, just like there was no cause for triumphalism, there was no cause for defeatism or deceit.

Tadic said the resolution "opened the possibility for dialog and protected Serbia's right to defend its own integrity and legitimate interest in Kosovo and Metohija through peaceful and diplomatic means, honoring the legitimate rights of the Albanian people."

Tadic said Serbia's central political goal was membership in the EU.