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A:
More than autonomy but less than independence for Kosovo-Metohija
Belgrade,
11 April 2005
Serbia’s and Serbia-Montenegro’s top officials have told representatives of the international Contact Group on Kosovo-Metohija that the province’s final status has to be more than autonomy but less than independence.
A visit to Belgrade and Pristina by political directors at foreign ministries of the Contact Group’s six member-countries and representatives of the EU is part of preparations for an assessment on the level of required democratic standards in Kosovo-Metohija.
In a meeting with the Contact Group representatives, Serbian and Serbia-Montenegrin officials have expressed a view that Kosovo-Metohija’s multiethnic character is endangered and that the assessment of standards must be directed towards this issue, according to a statement following the meeting.
Given that the assessment of standards will be followed by talks on Kosovo-Metohija’s final status, we must seek a middle-ground solution that would give the province more than autonomy but less than independence, reads a statement from Serbia-Montenegrin President Svetozar Marovic.
Serbia-Montenegrin and Serbian leadership have informed the representatives of the Contact Group about the situation in Kosovo-Metohija and proposed ways to overcome the difficult position of Serbs and other non-Albanians in the province.
The state leadership underlined the importance of dialogue on several levels through which a permanent solution should be reached, it was added in the announcement.
Such a solution, officials in Belgrade stated, must take into consideration not only one-sided interests in the dispute, but above all stability in the region, in which any kind of secession would have immeasurable consequences.
The Contact Group members pointed out that there would be no one-sided solutions, and that necessary efforts must be exerted this year towards finding a comprehensive approach to this problem.
All participants agreed that the resolution of this issue should contribute to a European future of the region as a democratic and multiethnic environment, the cabinet of the Serbia-Montenegrin President announced.
The Contact Group members talked with President of the State Union Svetozar Marovic, Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, Serbian President Boris Tadic, Serbia-Montenegrin Foreign Minister Vuk Draskovic and head of the Coordinating Centre for Kosovo-Metohija Nebojsa Covic.
Prior to their departure for Pristina tomorrow, diplomats from the US, Russia, Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy will hold a press conference where they will inform the public about these talks.
In a meeting with the Contact Group representatives, Serbian and Serbia-Montenegrin officials have expressed a view that Kosovo-Metohija’s multiethnic character is endangered and that the assessment of standards must be directed towards this issue, according to a statement following the meeting.
Given that the assessment of standards will be followed by talks on Kosovo-Metohija’s final status, we must seek a middle-ground solution that would give the province more than autonomy but less than independence, reads a statement from Serbia-Montenegrin President Svetozar Marovic.
Serbia-Montenegrin and Serbian leadership have informed the representatives of the Contact Group about the situation in Kosovo-Metohija and proposed ways to overcome the difficult position of Serbs and other non-Albanians in the province.
The state leadership underlined the importance of dialogue on several levels through which a permanent solution should be reached, it was added in the announcement.
Such a solution, officials in Belgrade stated, must take into consideration not only one-sided interests in the dispute, but above all stability in the region, in which any kind of secession would have immeasurable consequences.
The Contact Group members pointed out that there would be no one-sided solutions, and that necessary efforts must be exerted this year towards finding a comprehensive approach to this problem.
All participants agreed that the resolution of this issue should contribute to a European future of the region as a democratic and multiethnic environment, the cabinet of the Serbia-Montenegrin President announced.
The Contact Group members talked with President of the State Union Svetozar Marovic, Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, Serbian President Boris Tadic, Serbia-Montenegrin Foreign Minister Vuk Draskovic and head of the Coordinating Centre for Kosovo-Metohija Nebojsa Covic.
Prior to their departure for Pristina tomorrow, diplomats from the US, Russia, Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy will hold a press conference where they will inform the public about these talks.
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