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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Solution for Kosovo-Metohija within existing borders of Serbia-Montenegro

Belgrade, 14 October 2005

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said today in a meeting with US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns that while searching for a solution for Kosovo-Metohija, Resolution 1244 of the UN Security Council must be respected.

Kostunica recalled that the resolution guarantees the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia-Montenegro, adding that the solution must be reached through dialogue and compromise, such as extending its autonomy, but within the state-union’s existing borders.

He said that caution is imperative in looking for a solution that can be acceptable to both sides and that does not endanger the stability of the region.

He stressed that Kosovo-Metohija must be a multiethnic society where human rights of all ethnic communities are respected.

Burns said that the position of the Serbian community in Kosovo-Metohija is highly unsatisfactory; adding that attention must be paid to their human rights and conditions must be created for their safety and return to the province.

He said that the US will not suggest any final solutions for Kosovo-Metohija, adding that the solution should be sought through compromise and result from an agreement in which there will be neither a winning nor a losing side.

Kostunica stressed the significance of the negotiations that Serbia has begun with the European Union on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) and reiterated that the state-union provides the best framework for the realisation of the SAA.

Nicholas Burns

According to Kostunica, it is therefore necessary for everyone to focus completely on concluding talks with the EU and to leave aside all other issues, including a possible referendum in Montenegro. The issue of Serbia’s cooperation with and obligations to the Hague tribunal was also discussed at the meeting and Kostunica said that Serbia has displayed its willingness for cooperation and readiness to resolve that question.

Following Burns’ announcement that in the future there will be a larger portion of American investments in Serbia, both sides concluded that relations between the two countries are good and expressed readiness to further their cooperation, particularly in economy.