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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Through dialogue to compromise solution for Kosovo issue

Belgrade, 1 March 2006

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica met today with Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs Laila Freivalds and pointed out that the solution to the issue of Kosovo-Metohija must be founded on international law, that is primarily on the inviolability of a state's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Kostunica stressed that a compromise solution should be reached through dialogue, and this solution implies essential autonomy for the province within Serbia and Serbia-Montenegro. He added that talks on decentralisation are of great importance and should be continued.

He also pointed to the necessity of standards fulfilment in Kosovo and underlined that no progress has been made here, which was also noted by Kai Eide in his report.

Kostunica said that human rights of Serbs and other non-ethnic Albanians in the province must be protected and conditions provided for the return of displaced persons of non-Albanian ethnicity.

Laila Freivalds pointed out that it is crucial to find a compromise solution for Kosovo-Metohija, adding that basic human rights in the province must not be violated.

She stressed that Sweden supports Serbia-Montenegro's EU accession process and added that EU integration is very important both for the state union and its European partners.

At the meeting, Kostunica reiterated that Serbia is prepared to fulfil its international obligations toward the Hague Tribunal and stressed that this is in the interest of Serbia and its citizens as well.