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Issue of Kosovo concerns future of Serbia and all its citizens
Belgrade,
27 June 2006
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica delivered a lecture today at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence Studies in London, themed "Serbia on the Road to EU Integration" and said that Serbia would definitely refuse any imposed solution on the issue of Kosovo-Metohija.
He said that in line with the Serbian parliament resolution, such a solution would be declared legally null and void, a decision that would find full support in a huge majority of citizens.
Explaining how Serbia sees the problem of Kosovo-Metohija, Kostunica said that this issue is undoubtedly the greatest regional and one of the gravest European issues of today, mostly because the threat of violence permeates its very foundations.
"Kosovo Albanians are demanding nothing but full independence and international recognition, and all of that at once, and, as the UN and EU know very well, they are prepared and capable of resorting to organised violence if their demands are not met", warned the prime Minister.
"Serbia does not agree to indulge the one who threatens it and give up a portion of its territory contrary to international law as well as moral and legal considerations which the international community should be aware of", said Kostunica.
"More or less discreet messages that have been arriving in Belgrade of late, heralding "some kind" of independence as Kosovo's possible future status, are discouraging and tend to neglect direct and indirect consequences of such an imposed solution", said Kostunica.
He demanded that the international community shows more understanding and gives clearer criteria that would help remove distrust towards the authorities in Serbia and their efforts to eliminate the last "Hague obstacle". They could also show a more concrete sign of support, for instance when it comes to the visa regime, he added.
Kostunica stressed that Serbia is getting tired of all the pressure and conditions, though it is beyond doubt still determined and ready to conclude cooperation with the Hague Tribunal.
As for the extradition of Ratko Mladic, not only is there political willingness to locate him, but also absolutely all capacities that a democratic state can have at its disposal have been employed with this aim in mind, he said.
He also said that throughout European and even world history, it would be difficult to find "a precedent for such an enormous need to isolate and eliminate one single man", which nevertheless does not change the position which Serbia and Serbian people are in at the moment.
"I believe that in such a position, Serbia has the right to know in what way it can prove that it is doing everything in its power to fulfil its obligations", concluded the Prime Minister.
Explaining how Serbia sees the problem of Kosovo-Metohija, Kostunica said that this issue is undoubtedly the greatest regional and one of the gravest European issues of today, mostly because the threat of violence permeates its very foundations.
"Kosovo Albanians are demanding nothing but full independence and international recognition, and all of that at once, and, as the UN and EU know very well, they are prepared and capable of resorting to organised violence if their demands are not met", warned the prime Minister.
"Serbia does not agree to indulge the one who threatens it and give up a portion of its territory contrary to international law as well as moral and legal considerations which the international community should be aware of", said Kostunica.
"More or less discreet messages that have been arriving in Belgrade of late, heralding "some kind" of independence as Kosovo's possible future status, are discouraging and tend to neglect direct and indirect consequences of such an imposed solution", said Kostunica.
He demanded that the international community shows more understanding and gives clearer criteria that would help remove distrust towards the authorities in Serbia and their efforts to eliminate the last "Hague obstacle". They could also show a more concrete sign of support, for instance when it comes to the visa regime, he added.
Kostunica stressed that Serbia is getting tired of all the pressure and conditions, though it is beyond doubt still determined and ready to conclude cooperation with the Hague Tribunal.
As for the extradition of Ratko Mladic, not only is there political willingness to locate him, but also absolutely all capacities that a democratic state can have at its disposal have been employed with this aim in mind, he said.
He also said that throughout European and even world history, it would be difficult to find "a precedent for such an enormous need to isolate and eliminate one single man", which nevertheless does not change the position which Serbia and Serbian people are in at the moment.
"I believe that in such a position, Serbia has the right to know in what way it can prove that it is doing everything in its power to fulfil its obligations", concluded the Prime Minister.
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