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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Any imposed solution to Kosovo unacceptable for Russia

Belgrade/Moscow, 1 November 2006

Vice-President of the Coordinating Centre for Kosovo-Metohija and head of the economic team for Kosovo-Metohija and southern Serbia Nenad Popovic talked today in Moscow with head of the Russian Duma committee on international affairs Constantine Kosachev.

The economic team’s informative service stated that Popovic told Kosachev that the new Constitution has been accepted in Serbia, adding that Serbian citizens have thus confirmed that Kosovo-Metohija has been and will always remain an unalienable part of Serbia.

He warned that any attempt at imposing a solution by granting independence to Kosovo would be a direct assault upon elementary principles of international law and the UN Charter.

Popovic added that through the most democratic procedure Serbian citizens confirmed the new Constitution and recalled that this supreme legal act was supported in Kosovo-Metohija by 85% of the electorate.

Popovic told Kosachev that a number of domestic and foreign observers monitored the referendum process, among whom was a delegation of the Russian Duma. He added that they had no objections to the referendum.

The achieved unity of state organs, the majority of political parties, national minority representatives, religious communities and all relevant social structures demonstrates that this is a historic moment in which Serbian citizens have shown not only maturity, but also wisdom which will have far-reaching effects regarding Serbia's accelerated integration into the system of contemporary international trends, said Popovic.

Kosachev welcomed the successful outcome of the referendum adding that he believes that Serbia and Russia will maintain their traditionally friendly relations.

Speaking about the solution to the Kosovo issue, Kosachev said that any imposed solution for the province would be unacceptable to Russia and would represent a precedent not only for the post-Soviet region, but for other similar cases in Europe as well.

According to Kosachev, if Kosovo-Metohija becomes independent, it would mean a direct breach of the Serbian Constitution, as well as of the OSCE Helsinki Final Act from 1975 according to which borders in modern Europe cannot be altered without consent of all involved parties.

Kosachev particularly stressed that demands for a remodelling of state borders are illegitimate and voiced disagreement with imposed deadlines, but said he endorses the continuation of talks that will lead to a compromise solution for both sides.

He emphasised that the status of Kosovo-Metohija must be determined in line with the existing principles of international law and UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

He added that Russia will continue with constructive participation in the negotiating process with the aim of ensuring that international law is respected.