Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said Friday that solving the crisis in northern Kosovo peacefully is certainly more important for Serbia than the EU, but that the country will not trade its state and national interests in the European integration process.

In an interview for Tanjug, Dacic said the security situation in Serbia is stable, regardless of the security risks stemming from the crisis in Kosovo.

"We said before that there is a desire to constantly cause instability and there is danger of the conflicts and tensions spilling over from Kosovo into other parts of Serbia. Security forces are ready to react to any attempt to cause a conflict in Serbia, and the important thing is that in all parts of the country, even where there is a conflict brewing, the situation is peaceful," Dacic noted.

Asked about his expectations regarding the current crisis in northern Kosovo, Dacic said Serbia is implementing a reasonable and rational state policy and will not fall for provocations.

"Serbia needs to follow a reasonable and rational sate policy and not fall for provocations. The current problem was not caused accidentally and some international powers are behind it," Dacic told Tanjug, stressing Serbia has had enough of wars and will not go to war.

"This means the dialogue needs to continue. Serbia needs to negotiate with representatives of the international community in Kosovo, regardless of the fact many of their actions are not unbiased or status neutral," said the deputy PM.

Dacic said there was nothing incidental about the Kosovo police special forces' recent attempt to take control of the Jarinje and Brnjak administrative crossings in northern Kosovo.

"Causing tension and sending special forces was no accident, nor was the time the attempt was made. Some international circles must believe that right now is the time to exert more pressure on Serbia, which is looking to get a positive opinion from the European Commission, to make steps contrary to its national and state interests," Dacic believes.

He reiterated that Serbia has stressed it will not recognize Kosovo's independence, either implicitly or explicitly.

Dacic also recalled that the EU and the United States, as confirmed during the visit of U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden to Belgrade, have said the recognition of Kosovo's independence will not be a condition for Serbia's EU accession.

He stressed that, as Serbia has no police or military in Kosovo, it is the obligation of the international forces to protect peace and stability and strictly stick to their mandate, which is status neutral.

"Any action signaling support to the Kosovo authorities and their unilateral moves would certainly not be part of the mandate granted to them by the international community," Dacic said.

Asked to comment on the speculation that criminal structures from Serbia were involved in the burning of the Jarinje crossing, Dacic said the talk of northern Kosovo being a hotbed of crime is just an excuse to use force to conquer northern Kosovo, integrating it into the so-called independent state of Kosovo.

"The whole world knows the center of crime, especially trafficking in narcotics, people and weapons, is in the Albanian part of Kosovo. There is information some people from criminal organizations were involved and we do not dispute this," Dacic said, adding:

"They have caused great damage to the Serb interests in Kosovo, but that should not divert the focus from those who caused the crisis and tried to change the situation on the ground."

Expressing hope that in the coming days, the desire for new conflicts will not win out in northern Kosovo, but that peaceful solutions, albeit temporary, will be sought, Dacic stressed the need for everyone to turn to dialogue without setting terms, since dialogue is the best way to resolve the situation.

Reminding that Serbia has done a lot, especially in the last few years, to reach European standards, Dacic said Serbia expects that the same principles applied to other countries will apply to its candidacy.

It is in our interest, Dacic said, to arrive at a peaceful and durable solution and for everyone in the Balkan region to turn together to a better life.