UN General Assembly
2012

non-acceptance of bids for secession and the prevention of efforts to change the internationally recognized borders of other States. For the country I represent, peace and respect for international law come before all other interests and objectives. Political and armed violence are not nor will ever be acceptable means for achieving State interests in international affairs. Our battle against the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo and Metohija is part of the general struggle to preserve the principle of respect tor territorial integrity. Today, the struggle for the territorial integrity of Serbia is also the struggle for peace in all countries of the world and for the rule of law in international relations. Serbia is proud of having excellent and substantive relations with most countries and it is proud of its own history. As is true in all nations, some individual Serbians have made mistakes and even committed crimes. We have turned over those of our own citizens suspected of having breached international law to international justice. For that reason, we rightfully expect justice