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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

One-sided and exclusive approach to Kosovo issue is unacceptable

Belgrade, 7 February 2006

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica met today with political director of the UK Foreign Office John Sawers.

Kostunica pointed out that Sawers’ position on the future status of Kosovo-Metohija presented yesterday at the meeting with Serb and ethnic Albanian representatives in Pristina contradicts the official Contact Group statement made after a ministerial meeting on January 31. Kostunica also stressed that any position prejudicing the future status of Kosovo-Metohija conflicts with the basic principles of the Contact Group adopted at the UN Security Council. The Security Council is the only institution with a mandate to change the adopted principles for the talks on the future status of Kosovo-Metohija, said Kostunica.

The Prime Minister reiterated that supporting a one-sided and exclusive approach to resolving the Kosovo-Metohija issue before talks have even begun is totally unacceptable. Therefore, it is important, Kostunica said, that Great Britain adheres to the position and principles of the Contact Group and the Security Council. The Prime Minister presented Sawers the fundamental position of Serbia stating that any attempt on imposing a solution on a democratic state represents not only inappropriate pressure, but violation of the founding principles of international law and the international system.

Kostunica stressed several times that Serbia has full confidence that the Security Council will abide by the principles of international law in the process of finding a solution to the Kosovo-Metohija issue, above all respecting the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity of an internationally recognised state.

Sawers agreed that the talks on the future status of Kosovo-Metohija should start with the decentralisation issue and that all parties involved should strive towards stronger guarantees of safe and peaceful life in the province and allow the return of exiled Serbs.