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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Strong arguments by Serbian team in negotiations on future status of Kosovo-Metohija

Belgrade, 26 July 2006

Advisor to the Serbian Prime Minister Vladeta Jankovic said last night that the Serbian side presented strong arguments and had the upper hand in the top level negotiations on the future status of Kosovo-Metohija between Belgrade and Pristina, held in Vienna on Monday.

Jankovic said for the Radio Television Serbia that unlike the ethnic-Albanian side, which kept talking of independence as the only possible solution, the Serbian side had rational and strong arguments on reasons why independence would be bad not only for the region but the entire world.

The Serbian side based their arguments on international law and acts which guarantee sovereignty and territorial integrity of internationally recognised states, which include Serbia, and also that seizure of 15% of a country’s territory would set a dangerous precedent for the region, and the world.

The arguments presented by Belgrade were not challenged by any of the international representatives, stressed Jankovic, and added that the pace of talks is accelerating, which means that in August there will be a series of meetings between negotiating teams.

Jankovic said that the international community fears aggression by ethnic-Albanians, adding that political surrender to threats of aggression does not pay off.

The Serbian side made it clear in talks that it does not consider aggression an option, said Jankovic, and stressed that Serbia possesses the state and demographic potential not to allow the seizure of part of its territory without arguments and justification.

According to Jankovic, the Serbian side has entered the fight for Kosovo-Metohija with full diplomatic potential and will be able to say that it did everything within its power to keep the province within Serbian borders.

Advisor to the Serbian President Dusan Batakovic said on the occasion that negotiations held day before yesterday on the future status of Kosovo-Metohija were important, because during the previous six months only those issues were discussed which were not related to status.

Batakovic said that the ethnic-Albanian side tied up a lot to post-status time until now, adding that it was important to enter talks on status, besides all other questions which are important for the further course of talks, such as decentralisation, protection of cultural heritage etc.

According to Batakovic, it would be cynical to assert that Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija are a minority, and not to say that this is a result of ethnic cleansing.

Jankovic and Batakovic said that in previous negotiations held in Vienna minutes were not kept, but on insistence by the Serbian side, a written record is being kept since day before yesterday.

They pointed out that keeping minutes is important to counter any attempt at manipulation during talks, and they have importance as documents as well so that the Serbian parliament and people can be informed precisely who said what, at which time and in which manner, regarding the issue of Kosovo-Metohija.