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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

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Independent Kosovo-Metohija inconceivable on EU borders

Belgrade/Rome, 7 June 2005

In an interview for the Italian daily 24 Hours, Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said that an independent Kosovo-Metohija is inconceivable on EU borders.

In the interview, published today in the Italian daily ahead of the Prime Minister’s talks with Italian officials, Kostunica said that independence for Kosovo-Metohija would be a dangerous precedent and explained that such a solution could encourage minorities in other European states to demand independence.

Kostunica reiterated that Belgrade is prepared to compromise with Pristina, noting that before any agreement on Kosovo-Metohija is reached, basic democratic standards, most of all the freedom of movement and safe return of displaced persons should be fulfilled, and Serbia-Montenegrin sovereignty and territorial integrity principles respected.

“In all democratic societies, regions can have different autonomy levels, but not independence. This principle functions in all democratic societies and I am certain that it will function in Serbia as well”, Kostunica pointed out.

According to him, it is absurd that Serbia should give up Kosovo-Metohija in order to join Europe, and the dilemma “Kosovo or Europe” is not realistic. “There is no state or nation willing to negotiate parts of their territory and Serbia holds such an agreement inconceivable”, Kostunica repeated.