Tadic: Kosovo is not only a state question

Reminding that Roman Emperor Constantine was born in the territory of today's Serbia, and that during his reign Christianity became a state religion in the Roman Empire, Tadic said that Europe and its Christian identity were born in Serbia.

"Serbia and the Serb people faced various temptations in the past and today, because we exist in a place where cultures and civilizations collide. And today in the 21st century, we are faced not only with the question of our future in the EU, but the question of our Christian identity and its preservation as well," Tadic said at the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Serbian Church Municipality in Vienna.

"Today we are facing the attempt to usurp the identity of the Serbian Orthodox existence in the territory of Kosovo," Tadic warned, adding that there were still intentions to build a fabricated Kosovo identity that has been in existence for two years, in contrast with the Serbian Orthodox identity, which has been around for centuries.

The Serbian president said that he expected that Austria would recognize the importance of preserving the Serbian identity in Kosovo.

"No one without an identity can exist in the future. This question is above national interests, it is transcendental and this is the question of the meaning of our existence. That is why Kosovo is not only a state question," Tadic said.

He added that about 250,000 Serbs live in Austria today, who are "ambassadors of their culture and faith in a friendly country", and loyal citizens.

Tadic was on Tuesday on a one-day visit to Austria, which started with his meeting with the country's Chamber of Commerce Chairman Christoph Leitl, and will be followed by meetings with President Heinz Fischer and Chancellor Werner Faymann.