Head of Belgrade's negotiating team in the dialogue with Pristina Borislav Stefanovic stated that the Republic of Serbia and Serbs in northern Kosovo-Metohija share the same interests, but that practice has shown that some of Kosovo Serb leaders have a problem evaluating the reality.

Our opinions on how to achieve our interests differ, and so do our perceptions of reality, Stefanovic said in an interview for the Belgrade-based weekly Vreme and added that some of Kosovo Serb leaders believe that it is feasible to accomplish some goals that can be achieved only in the ideal world of their party programmes.

He also said that some political leaders of northern Kosovo Serbs think that the path to achieving Serb interests lies in antagonism, while the Republic of Serbia believes that barricades by themselves are not a goal but a means for establishing normal living conditions for the people to the north of the Ibar River.

He explained that the interests of northern Kosovo Serbs cannot be achieved if Serbia becomes isolated from the international community, which is why the only path toward a sustainable solution lies in the continuation of the talks with Pristina.

According to Stefanovic, the dialogue with Pristina will be resumed when competent bodies define outlines of solutions to the issue of flow of goods at Jarinje and Brnjak which would meet the basic interests of Serbia and northern Kosovo Serbs.

In the meantime, he said, it is important for northern Kosovo-Metohija citizens to remain calm and avoid conflicts with international missions.

He noted that the Republic of Serbia would continue functioning in northern Kosovo-Metohija and warned that all Pristina's attempts to set up its institutions to the north of the Ibar River are not sustainable.