Interview conducted by Nicolas Faure
Can you tell us what your personal history is in politics? what is your current status?
If we talk about party work, I was a member of the Democratic Party of Serbia, whose leader was Vojislav Kostunica, former President of Serbia. It was a centre-right party, whose values related to the fusion of democratic and national. After the change of leadership, this party, in my opinion, lost its identity and there were certain disagreements about views about further work, which resulted in our divergence. After that, I was an advisor to the president of the Parliamentary Group in the Serbian Parliament, on international relations and security and headed the International Affairs Committee in another political party until 2020. years ago, I decided to retire from that position. After leaving the Democratic Party of Serbia, I formed the people's movement "united for Serbia" with a group of like-minded people, but due to a number of adverse circumstances, it remained inactive. So I've been up since 2020. years focused on working in the non-governmental organization Center for geostrategic studies, which I have been leading for the last ten years. This center is based in Belgrade, but has an international character because it brings together associates from many other countries such as the USA, Russia, Austria, Switzerland, DR Congo, Brazil, India, Syria, Armenia, Ireland, Slovenia, Argentina, Egypt, Spain, Hungary, United Kingdom, etc. currently, the Center has about sixty I am an associate of various specialties such as security, law, International Relations, economy, culture, religion, etc. in addition to managing the center, I am most focused on the development of international relations through "people's diplomacy", as well as on conflict zones. Given that Serbia has a long history of opposition to world powers, which have been very intensively encouraging conflicts in recent decades, I thought it useful to share my knowledge and experience with other people affected by the war.
What are the main problems that Serbia faces and for which solutions you stand for it?
Serbia has faced many problems, especially in the continuity since the breakup of Yugoslavia. NATO bombing of Serbia in 1999. the year left long-term consequences for Serbia, as well as previous wars that were fought in the former Yugoslavia, economic sanctions, international pressures, media demonization, etc. Middle-aged people are almost all their lives faced with problems and their consequences, which is really not easy to endure. Especially the sense of injustice. Unfortunately, in other European countries from the 1990s to the present day, there was generally no opportunity to discuss it on equal grounds and without prejudice, except with individuals who could understand what we were talking about. A negative image of Serbia and Serbs has been created, which has overshadowed even our history. But let's hope there will be an opportunity in the future for the situation to change. The monopoly of mainstream media and mainstream politics has been broken, which I consider a great success. Apart from the general items I have listed, I think that the Kosovo issue is one of the most important problems we face, which is again a consequence of NATO bombing. Now we can hear from certain American politicians that the main goal of the bombing of Serbia was to install a US military base in Kosovo and Metohija. This is what Jeffrey Sachs was talking about. I believe that the Kosovo problem cannot be solved by violent means, which includes violation of international law, the current UNSC Resolution 1244. So I am in favor of the return of the solution of this issue to the UN, because Brussels (through the format of the "Brussels dialogue" of Belgrade and Pristina) has neither the capacity nor the authority to assume such a role. In light of the current geopolitical developments, where many European countries are faced with economic, political and social crisis, as well as cultural and spiritual ones, Serbia is not subject to this extent to the current negative processes, due to acquired immunity.
Is immigration a problem for Serbia, as well as for Europe as a whole, and why?
Serbia does not have such a problem with immigration, as many European countries have, where a large number of immigrants have moved in recent years. For many European states, especially those that have pursued colonial policies in the past, this is now the second wave of large-scale resettlement. Certainly "economic" immigrants, whose resettlement is not related to the post-colonial period or war conflicts, should also be taken into account. The reason why Serbia is not a destination for immigrants is economic in nature. Although many immigrants passed through Serbia on the Balkan route, a small number lingered. Most immigrants were motivated to move on to other European countries because of future prospects, economic well-being, social allocations, because they did not see such a thing in Serbia. Our state has not yet solved the problem with Serbian refugees who have moved to central Serbia from other parts of the former Yugoslavia, and many of them still live in collective centers.
At the beginning of the UN Security Council session in September 2022. as director of the Center for geostrategic studies, you compared the weapons used on the battlefield during the war in Yugoslavia and the weapons used in the war in Ukraine. Can you confirm whether you still adhere to this position and, if yes, what steps could be taken to stop this murderous war?
I absolutely believe that the war in the former Yugoslavia has many parallels with the conflict that is taking place on the territory of Ukraine, especially with regard to the influence of external forces, both on the creation of the conflict and on the arming of those parties in the conflict that they consider to be "allies" in the realization of their geopolitical goals. The same can be said for many conflicts in the Middle East. Due to years of ignoring the threat to Russian national security by NATO members and ignoring the numerous international agreements reached after the "Cold War", after all, and the violation of the promise made to the Russians that NATO would not expand to the East after the collapse of the USSR, there has been an escalation of the conflict in Ukraine. As time passes, more and more the background of the war and the role of certain international political structures, which do not want the situation to calm down, even though they see that it leads to the defeat of their positions, are exposed. What is especially dangerous is the intention to provoke conflicts in other regions around the Russian borders, and even to draw other European states into the Ukrainian conflict. I think that resolving the Ukrainian conflict, but also other conflicts that are related, is impossible without neutralizing the threat that comes from those centers of power that are guided by the doctrine of "conflict of civilizations". In order for them to be neutralized, it is necessary to dismantle all the mechanisms they use to create conflicts, from media manipulation, organizing state coups, organizing terrorist groups, organizing special operations, subversive action through controlled political and intellectual elites, abuse of non-governmental organizations, infiltration into the security and intelligence apparatus of other states.etc.
You have been subjected to attacks by certain media in Serbia and abroad. Throughout the Internet the mainstream press claims that you work for Russian intelligence. Is that true? Do you feel discriminated against by the Press in Serbia?
I believe you know examples in many other European countries, where public figures who think with their heads and are not part of the mainstream are persecuted in a variety of ways. Previously, this was mainly by labeling dissidents and media discreditation based on fabricated accusations, and now in many European countries, but also in the United States, they have started to take other more restrictive measures such as searches and arrests, indictments, blocking bank accounts, etc. This is completely contrary to the proclaimed values such as freedom of speech, democracy, human rights, etc. but the Western mainstream simply ignores these facts. Most of the media attacks on me come from Pristina, i.e. from the fake State of Kosovo, probably under the influence of foreign intelligence services that have a huge influence there. Also these attacks were supported by some liberal media, financed by funds from Britain, Sweden, the Netherlands, then the EU, the National Fund for democracy from the US, The Rockefeller Brothers Foundation, The George Soros Fund, etc. There were such attacks in Serbia (Espresso, Crick, etc.), and such false information that I work for the Russian intelligence service was published by the website of the official Association of journalists of Serbia. Instead of fighting public disinformation and protecting journalists, the Journalists ' Association of Serbia supports Western-funded media that spread lies and attack independent journalists.
I decided to respond to these unfounded attacks and sent a letter to all important international journalist associations where I explained my case in detail and presented them with evidence of media attacks. The only response I have received is the International Federation of Journalists, which is also the world's largest association of journalists, known for its efforts to free Assange. I have to say that as an individual, this support has been of great importance to me, especially when institutions are not responding and you have virtually no one to turn to for help.
Finally, what message of hope you have for the citizens of Serbia taking into account the current situation in the world?
I think the time is coming when we will be able to fight for historical justice and improve Serbia's position, of course if we are wise. The geopolitical changes that are underway offer such opportunities. I sincerely believe that these geopolitical changes will lead to historical changes and the creation of a more just world based on true values such as humanism, tradition, spirituality, diversity of cultures, generally "development, not clash of civilizations".
4. October 2024.
