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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Serbia has unified and grounded position on future status of Kosovo

Belgrade, 1 March 2007

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said today during the talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov that Serbia has a unified position which is grounded on the most important international documents that the solution for the future administration of the province of Kosovo-Metohija must be sought through a compromise, with necessary respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia as an internationally recognised state.

Kostunica warned that UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari exceeded his mandate, which is to enable and direct the negotiations between the two sides on reaching an agreement that would be in line with the principles of international law.

Instead of resolving the issue of the future status of Serbia's southern province, Ahtisaari overstepped his mandate by opening the issue of Serbia's state status without any authorisation and proposed redrawing its internationally recognised borders. Therefore, Ahtisaari's proposal is illegitimate and illegal.

He told Titov that the Serbian state negotiating team is taking part in the negotiating process in a very active and constructive way and that it has presented many proposals for establishing substantial autonomy in the province within Serbia.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov said that Russia finds it very important that the modern international order be strengthened using clear principles of respect of international law.

Titov said that the solution for Kosovo-Metohija must be sought in the framework of the existing UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

He particularly stressed the importance of upholding the principle of agreement and seeking a compromise which is completely acceptable for both sides.

Titov pointed to the fact that more attention should be paid to status-neutral issues and that those ideas by Ahtisaari which are acceptable for both sides should serve as a basis for further talks.

Vladimir Titov

Titov especially stressed that it is not the right moment that such a proposal by Ahtisaari, regarding which there is no agreement between the two sides, is brought before the Security Council, and added that Russia as a Security Council member will not support Ahtisaari’s proposal if the two sides do not agree upon it.

It was jointly stated in the talks that threat of force is unacceptable and no one should be allowed to hold the international community hostage with violence.

It was concluded that the Security Council must meet as soon as possible and react if violence in the province escalates.

Special attention was given in the meeting to the development of economic relations between Serbia and Russia. It was jointly stated that it is important to father advance business and economic relations, and willingness was expressed for intensifying and expanding the overall cooperation between the two countries.