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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

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Resolving Kosovo-Metohija issue only through direct talks

Belgrade, 24 October 2005

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, following his meeting with the UN Secretary General, expressed satisfaction that Kofi Annan reiterated his and the UN’s dedication to the principles on which the world body is based, including the respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity of its member states.

Kostunica delivering his speech at the Security Council's session

Author: Reuters

In a statement to Radio Television of Serbia (RTS), Kostunica said that the talks must be conducted in the framework of the inviolability of territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia that will lead to compromise – between Belgrade and Pristina, and between Serbs, ethnic Albanians, and other non-ethnic Albanians in Kosovo-Metohija and in the whole region.

Stressing that no solution must be an imposed one, the Prime Minister reiterated the position expressed today in his speech at the Security Council session, which states that the Kosovo-Metohija issue can be resolved only through direct talks.

He pointed out that the Secretary General agreed that nothing can replace direct talks and that all other means of negotiations represent in a way an introduction or a preamble to the only right way of conducting talks.

“Important talks were conducted today. I think that all the persons present at the session were aware, in many ways, of the historic importance of this session. It is not just the issue of Kosovo-Metohija’s status within the borders of Serbia that is being discussed, but also the way in which all future problems similar in nature will be addressed”, Kostunica said, describing the talks and atmosphere at the session held at the UN headquarters in New York.

“We must search for a solution within what has been a strict, iron rule of the international community, that being the sanctity of territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states, above all democratic states, and Serbia-Montenegro is a democratic state”, underlined Kostunica on the position presented at the UN Security Council session, a stance that, as he said, attracted great attention.

The Prime Minister stressed that Belgrade is aware of the importance of this moment, as well as the responsibility and significance of what has been happening today and what will be happening in the future, not just for Serbia-Montenegro, but for Europe as well, because Serbia-Montenegro is a part of Europe.