Q:
A:
No alternative to dialogue on Kosovo
Belgrade,
18 September 2006
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica tonight expressed the belief that Christian principles can direct to common sense and finding a solution in the current political negotiations on the future status of Kosovo-Metohija as well and reiterated that there is no alternative to dialogue and that every use of violence represents an imposed solution that ruins all remaining bridges.
Vojislav Kostunica addresses the session
Author:
Fonet
Addressing the session of a joint commission for dialogue between Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches, Kostunica said that any imposed and forced solution without dialogue only multiplies problems.
He said that for Christians and all those who accept the code of European fundamental values, dialogue is a way of existence, communication among people, nations, communities, states, cultures and civilisations.
The Prime Minister stressed that the churches of the East and the West are an excellent example for all and that the Belgrade meeting is an important point.
According to him, the greatest gift of present-day civilisation is to persuade people, political elites in particular, that there is no alternative to dialogue and that any form of force, imposing one’s own models and solutions out of self interest damages the last remaining bridges among people and communities in conflict, instead of building bridges of peace, trust, solidarity and cooperation.
In his address, Kostunica mentioned 150 destroyed churches in Kosovo-Metohija and hundreds of thousands of displaced persons and refugees and expressed assurance that prayers of all church dignitaries will be directed toward peace in the southern Serbian province but also elsewhere in the world.
The Serbian government and I will invest every effort that Belgrade and Serbia become the place of dialogue in the future and exchange of spiritual values. We believe that by doing so we express the choice of the Serb people and other peoples living in Serbia, said Kostunica.
The dialogue between the two churches has been ongoing for a number of years and is led by a commission represented by 30 members from each church.
The ninth session is taking place in Belgrade and will last until September 25.
He said that for Christians and all those who accept the code of European fundamental values, dialogue is a way of existence, communication among people, nations, communities, states, cultures and civilisations.
The Prime Minister stressed that the churches of the East and the West are an excellent example for all and that the Belgrade meeting is an important point.
According to him, the greatest gift of present-day civilisation is to persuade people, political elites in particular, that there is no alternative to dialogue and that any form of force, imposing one’s own models and solutions out of self interest damages the last remaining bridges among people and communities in conflict, instead of building bridges of peace, trust, solidarity and cooperation.
In his address, Kostunica mentioned 150 destroyed churches in Kosovo-Metohija and hundreds of thousands of displaced persons and refugees and expressed assurance that prayers of all church dignitaries will be directed toward peace in the southern Serbian province but also elsewhere in the world.
The Serbian government and I will invest every effort that Belgrade and Serbia become the place of dialogue in the future and exchange of spiritual values. We believe that by doing so we express the choice of the Serb people and other peoples living in Serbia, said Kostunica.
The dialogue between the two churches has been ongoing for a number of years and is led by a commission represented by 30 members from each church.
The ninth session is taking place in Belgrade and will last until September 25.
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