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Serbia, Russia agree on Kosovo-Metohija future status
St Petersburg/Belgrade,
9 June 2007
Russian President Vladimir Putin met today with Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica in St Petersburg and said that Russia’s position on Kosovo-Metohija is well-known and added that it was formulated long ago and has not changed.
Vladimir Putin, left, and Vojislav Kostunica
Author:
Tanjug
At the beginning of the meeting Putin said his views on Kosovo-Metohija differ from those of his Western colleagues, but added that in the wake of the Group of Eight Summit he is under impression that Russia’s Western partners now have better understanding of Moscow’s stance.
The head of Russia said that “one of the most serious issues is – the issue of Kosovo” and announced he will additionally brief the Serbian Prime Minister on Russia’s position on this matter, though he is already aware of it, as well as on results of the Group of Eight Summit in Heiligendamm.
Kostunica thanked the President for the invitation to take part in the forum taking place in St Petersburg and said that the Kosovo-Metohija issue is not only a Serbian, or Serbo-Russian issue, but also a global one.
Serbia has definitely and fully rejected UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari’s plan with which, contrary to UN Charter and UN Security Council Resolution 1244, Serbia would have 15% of its territory taken away from it, stressed the Prime Minister.
Speaking about what Kosovo-Metohija means for Serbia, Kostunica said it is not only a considerable portion of its territory, but also a portion of particular importance since it gives Serbia a historical, cultural and spiritual meaning.
Kosovo-Metohija is Serbia’s identity and it is therefore not only its past, but also its present and future. Serbia cannot be the only country in the world which should be punished and humiliated by having its territory seized, which is why Russia’s and your support are of extreme importance and historical significance, said Kostunica to the Russian President.
Putin and Kostunica devoted a portion of their meeting to bilateral relations and the Russian President said Serbia and Russia’s cooperation is satisfactory, adding that last year the volume of their exchange increased by 29%.
However, more must yet be done in order to develop our relations in various directions. We have all that is necessary to do so and I hope we will discuss it, said Putin.
Kostunica added that economic cooperation between the countries has marked undoubted growth.
I am here to propose the manner in which our economic cooperation, as well as Russia’s economic presence in Serbia, could be increased and enlarged, said Kostunica and added that there are possibilities for that.
The head of Russia said that “one of the most serious issues is – the issue of Kosovo” and announced he will additionally brief the Serbian Prime Minister on Russia’s position on this matter, though he is already aware of it, as well as on results of the Group of Eight Summit in Heiligendamm.
Kostunica thanked the President for the invitation to take part in the forum taking place in St Petersburg and said that the Kosovo-Metohija issue is not only a Serbian, or Serbo-Russian issue, but also a global one.
Serbia has definitely and fully rejected UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari’s plan with which, contrary to UN Charter and UN Security Council Resolution 1244, Serbia would have 15% of its territory taken away from it, stressed the Prime Minister.
Speaking about what Kosovo-Metohija means for Serbia, Kostunica said it is not only a considerable portion of its territory, but also a portion of particular importance since it gives Serbia a historical, cultural and spiritual meaning.
Kosovo-Metohija is Serbia’s identity and it is therefore not only its past, but also its present and future. Serbia cannot be the only country in the world which should be punished and humiliated by having its territory seized, which is why Russia’s and your support are of extreme importance and historical significance, said Kostunica to the Russian President.
Putin and Kostunica devoted a portion of their meeting to bilateral relations and the Russian President said Serbia and Russia’s cooperation is satisfactory, adding that last year the volume of their exchange increased by 29%.
However, more must yet be done in order to develop our relations in various directions. We have all that is necessary to do so and I hope we will discuss it, said Putin.
Kostunica added that economic cooperation between the countries has marked undoubted growth.
I am here to propose the manner in which our economic cooperation, as well as Russia’s economic presence in Serbia, could be increased and enlarged, said Kostunica and added that there are possibilities for that.
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