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Russia’s rejection of fourth draft resolution on Kosovo-Metohija confirms necessity of continuing negotiations
Belgrade,
29 June 2007
Advisor to Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Simic said today that Russia’s decision to also reject the fourth draft resolution on Kosovo-Metohija in the Security Council gives the message that negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina are necessary and must be conducted differently from before.
In a statement to the Beta news agency, Simic said that talks are necessary, but in a different manner, with a neutral mediator who will succeed in engaging Belgrade and ethnic-Albanian separatists in constructive dialogue.
He said that yesterday’s rejection of the draft resolution by Russia shows that talks with predetermined results cannot be constructive and fruitful.
Russia’s opposition shows that dialogue cannot be tied to deadlines or predetermined solutions, it must be within the framework of valid international order, dedicated to finding a viable and lasting solution to guarantee the stability not just of Serb-Albanian relations, but also relations in the region and beyond, explained Simic.
According to Simic, this opposition shows that Russia’s position is comfortable and is based on universally valid principles.
The Russian position is not a surprise, stressed Simic and recalled that from the beginning of the talks in October and in November 2005 it implies two things, firstly that status must be decided through a solution based on compromise, secondly it must be in accordance with international order.
Simic explained that yesterday’s presentation of the fourth draft resolution can be considered one more attempt to apply pressure prior to the upcoming meeting between US President George Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin, so that the Russian veto, if the resolution is put to vote, is presented as a kind of obstruction.
He pointed to the fact that the problem in that scenario is presented by the fact that China will preside over the Security Council in July, and until now China has shown itself to be a country which respects the UN Charter.
Simic said that he does not believe China would urge a vote on the resolution on Kosovo-Metohija.
He said that yesterday’s rejection of the draft resolution by Russia shows that talks with predetermined results cannot be constructive and fruitful.
Russia’s opposition shows that dialogue cannot be tied to deadlines or predetermined solutions, it must be within the framework of valid international order, dedicated to finding a viable and lasting solution to guarantee the stability not just of Serb-Albanian relations, but also relations in the region and beyond, explained Simic.
According to Simic, this opposition shows that Russia’s position is comfortable and is based on universally valid principles.
The Russian position is not a surprise, stressed Simic and recalled that from the beginning of the talks in October and in November 2005 it implies two things, firstly that status must be decided through a solution based on compromise, secondly it must be in accordance with international order.
Simic explained that yesterday’s presentation of the fourth draft resolution can be considered one more attempt to apply pressure prior to the upcoming meeting between US President George Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin, so that the Russian veto, if the resolution is put to vote, is presented as a kind of obstruction.
He pointed to the fact that the problem in that scenario is presented by the fact that China will preside over the Security Council in July, and until now China has shown itself to be a country which respects the UN Charter.
Simic said that he does not believe China would urge a vote on the resolution on Kosovo-Metohija.
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