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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Keeping peace and security in Kosovo priority

Belgrade, 13 July 2007

Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said today that at a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jaap De Hoop Scheffer it was agreed that keeping peace and security is a priority in Kosovo-Metohija, but in the region as well.

Jaap De Hoop Scheffer, left, and Vuk Jeremic

Author: Fonet

Speaking at a joint press conference with Scheffer, Jeremic said that Serbia will do everything to help KFOR maintain peace and stability in the southern Serbian province.

Our common goal is that the entire western Balkans enters the EU one day, the Minister said and explained that that will not be possible if we do not fulfill the primary condition, and that is keeping peace and stability.

Jeremic and Scheffer agreed that it is necessary to avoid prolongation of the resolution of Kosovo’s future status. The Serbian Foreign Minister explained that it is not necessary to make a new resolution, but to start negotiations and not waste time on drafting a new resolution.

The two officials also discussed relations between Serbia and the NATO and Jeremic said that Serbia has full political will to continue cooperation in all programmes envisaged by the Partnership for Peace.

Speaking about the delay in submitting Serbia's presentation document to the NATO, which was required from Serbia upon entering the Partnership for Peace, he explained that that document will be ready very soon and that he will present it to the NATO Council.

Scheffer said that the primary task of the KFOR is to protect the majority and minority groups in Kosovo-Metohija, with major emphasis on protection for the Serbian minority.

The KFOR forces in the region are making all efforts to guarantee stability and security for every person residing in Kosovo-Metohija said Scheffer, and added that NATO together with Serbia, which is a very important country in the region, will continue cooperation in the framework of the Partnership for Peace programme.

He said that an unnecessary delay in resolving the issue of Kosovo-Metohija should be avoided, and invited all sides to a balanced and calm approach.

Scheffer recalled that there is a new draft resolution before the Security Council which envisages the continuation of negotiations, and pointed to the fact that determination of the status of Kosovo-Metohija is not in the hands of NATO, rather the matter will be decided by the UN Security Council. He said that Marti Ahtisaari’s plan is a good basis for resolving the Kosovo-Metohija issue.

Commenting on the fact that Serbia has yet to submit the presentation document to NATO, Scheffer said that he is convinced that the Serbian government will draft this document as soon as possible and it will be soon presented in Brussels.