Keepin touch

Whether you have a question, comment, suggestion or any problem in the purview of the government, send us your message and we will try to respond as soon as possible. If your problem is not in our purview, we will forward your message to the relevant institution.

The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Autonomy must be established in Kosovo-Metohija

Belgrade, 22 April 2004

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica met today with US Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Kathleen Stephens, Head of the Office for Kosovo-Metohija at the US Department of State Craig Lang, Adviser to the EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Stefan Lehner, NATO Special Representative for Southeastern Europe Robert Serry and EU Special Representative for Kosovo-Metohija Fernando Gentilini.

Author: Fonet

Kostunica said that the previous policy whose only objective was the definition of standards for Kosovo-Metohija failed to avert the March attempt of ethnic cleansing of the Serb community in the province. He said that the establishment of autonomy is the only way to protect basic human rights of Serbs and other non-Albanians in the province.

He stressed the need of finding concrete solutions that will lead to real progress, adding that the return of the displaced persons has not been secured and that there is no freedom of movement for Serbs and other non-Albanians in the province.

Kathleen Stephens voiced readiness to consider the decentralisation of Kosovo-Metohija, and pointed out to the need of building trust and continuing the dialogue on practical issues which was stopped in March.

Stephens stressed that it is necessary to accomplish realistic goals, punish those responsible for the March violence in the province and immediately begin the reconstruction of burned and destroyed houses. She said that it is also very important to establish open dialogue so that the best and most realistic solutions for Kosovo-Metohija could be found.

Robert Serry and Kathleen Stephens

Author: Fonet

NATO Special Representative for southeastern Europe Robert Serry said that KFOR will take all necessary measures to prevent that the March violence be repeated, and secure safety for Kosovo Serbs.

Stefan Lehner stressed the importance of continuing the dialogue on technical issues, which can be conducted alongside the examination of the issues of decentralisation and implementation of standards for Kosovo-Metohija.

During the talks, Kostunica pointed out to the progress that has been made on Serbia-Montenegro's path towards Europe in the last month and a half. Despite many difficulties, the progress has been made owing to the building of institutions of the state union of Serbia-Montenegro, reconstruction of the Council of Ministers, stabilisation of the work of the Serbian parliament, and the adoption of a number of laws, Kostunica concluded.