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Kostunica, Putin to discuss promotion of relations between Serbia-Montenegro and Russia

Belgrade, 1 June 2004

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said that during his visit to Russia, he will discuss the most important points of cooperation between Serbia-Montenegro and Russia with President Vladimir Putin. In an interview to the Russian Information Agency (RIA) Novosti and Itar Tas, Kostunica said that he will present the Serbian government's Plan for Kosovo-Metohija to Putin. The two officials will also discuss development of economic cooperation. The official web site of the Serbian government brings full text of the Prime Minister's interview to Russian journalists.

Vladimir Putin and Vojislav Kostunica (file photo)

What is the programme of your visit? Which topics will you discuss with our leadership?

I will pay a visit to President Putin, and we will discuss the most important points of cooperation between the state union of Serbia-Montenegro and Russia. The support of Russia and President Putin in our efforts to build stable and functional institutions of the state union, which is in the interest of the stability of the whole region, means very much to us. The Serbian government adopted the Plan for Kosovo-Metohija, thus giving its contribution to the resolution of the crisis in the province. Another important topic will be expansion and strengthening of the economic and cultural cooperation.

What do you think about present relations between Serbia and the Russian Federation in the fields of politics and economy, and how the development of economic relations can improve the citizens' standard of living? Is Serbia interested in employing Russian capital and accepting Russian participation in the privatisation?

It would be ideal if we managed to raise our economic relations on the level of the political ones. I must say that our political relations are not only good, but they are close and friendly. Therefore, it is clear that we must work more on improving economic cooperation. The presence of Russian capital is definitely desirable, and the talks that have been initiated must be continued and concrete projects made.

What kind of political support can Moscow give to Serbia-Montenegro in tackling the Kosovo problem and of the Balkans as a whole?

As a permanent member of the Security Council and the Contact Group, Russia has a very significant international role. Russia's firm and principled stance on immutability of borders in the region is of great importance, because on one hand, it helps keep regional peace and stability, and on the other, affirm patient dialogue as a way of settling disputes. Russia has been warning for a long time that situation in Kosovo-Metohija is very difficult and that international policy there did not give any results. I will reiterate that Russia's role is very important because it is a member of the Contact Group. I will present the government's Plan for Kosovo-Metohija to President Putin.

What is your solution to the problem of Kosovo? Is it possible to keep the province within the borders of Serbia? What can the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue give? Which can be the final results of that dialogue?

We must start from tangible and undisputable facts. That means that we must start from the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 as a general act which is binding for all parties. The Resolution 1244 envisages a substantial autonomy for Kosovo-Metohija within Serbia, and therefore I think that our idea of substantial autonomy cannot be challenged. I must add that this solution does not impinge upon the issue of the province's final status. Of course, it is necessary to establish through the dialogue that the idea of substantial autonomy must equally apply to the autonomy of Kosovo-Metohija within Serbia, and to the autonomy of the Serb community in the province.