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New Security Council resolution not needed for continuation of negotiations

Belgrade, 13 July 2007

Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic said today that the adoption of a new Security Council resolution is not necessary for continuation of negotiations on the future status of Kosovo-Metohija.

Vuk Jeremic

In an interview for Tanjug news agency, Jeremic said that now the question is whether we will spend weeks or months negotiating a resolution to initiate negotiations, or should we start negotiations instantly. He recalled that the negotiations which were led by UN Special Envoy Marti Ahtisaari were not initiated by a Security Council resolution.

He stressed that Serbia is flexible when it comes to modalities for continuing negotiations, and explained that it is important for Serbia that the negotiations are free of deadlines and do not have a predetermined outcome.

According to Jeremic, Serbia considers direct negotiations as the best option, but it is of crucial importance that they are conducted under the auspices of the UN.

Only such negotiations, which would result in a compromise supported by a Security Council resolution, can produce solutions which could pave the way to a European future for the entire West Balkans, said the Foreign Minister.

Confirming Belgrade’s willingness for compromise, Jeremic explained that Serbia has no aspiration to dictate the politics or institutional life of Albanians in Kosovo-Metohija.

He stressed that Serbia cannot give up its right to sovereignty and territorial integrity and all prerogatives stemming thereof, such as UN membership, representation abroad and other prerogatives defined by international law.

According to Jeremic, in that respect there is no dilemma among the country’s leadership, and since the formation of the Serbian government a system of internal communication and coordination has been established between all relevant institutions.

Prior to each visit abroad, the ministry established coordination with the cabinets of the Serbian Prime Minister and President, and the Ministry for Kosovo-Metohija as well as with the cabinet of the Deputy Prime Minister, considering the fact that most issues which are discussed in foreign politics are connected with Kosovo-Metohija and the country’s EU integration, said Jeremic.

Referring to talks with European and other officials since taking over duties as foreign minister, Jeremic said that Serbia’s position in international politics has strengthened significantly and confidence in Serbia as a European and democratic state is increasing.

Serbia’s European future, safeguarding territorial integrity and sovereignty when it comes to the issue of Kosovo-Metohija, stabilisation of the region and good neighbourly relations are three priorities in our foreign policy and significant progress was made regarding each area since the formation of the government.

He recalled that in the period prior to the formation of the government majority of the western countries adhered to the position that Ahtisaari’s plan exists and it should be implemented or even imposed as soon as possible, which is not the case now.

We have made a historical step in getting support for our position on Kosovo-Metohija, said Jeremic and added that now in Europe, and not just in Russia, it is accepted that it is necessary to continue the process of seeking a solution which could get the support of the Security Council.

According to Jeremic, the situation is incomparably better also when it comes to relations between Serbia and the EU, and after the year-long suspension of negotiations Serbia is once again on the way to joining the EU.

I think that we have absolutely improved relations with Brussels and the overwhelming position in the EU is that Serbia should be welcomed as full member, of course, as it fulfills obligations towards the Hague tribunal and the Copenhagen Criteria, said the Minister.

He said that getting candidate status by 2008 is not an unrealistic goal, and pointed to the fact that it was the most important subject in the talks he held in Brussels.

Jeremic stressed that the aim is to conclude the negotiations on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) by September or beginning of October, and later to accelerate the bureaucratic procedure in Brussels in order to sign the SAA by the end of the year.

He voiced hope that Serbia will be able to implement the reforms envisaged to the point that by the end of 2008 it gets support for acquiring candidate status, and added that Brussels is also of the opinion that such a timetable is realistic.

Our reform efforts must be adequate, but it will be a lot of work for bilateral diplomacy regarding all 27 EU members in order to establish political consensus that Serbia should get candidate status, said the Minister.

Jeremic pointed to the fact that one of the most important contributions made by the new Serbian government in relations with the international community is the establishment of renewed mutual trust, in which the position taken on obligations towards The Hague played an important role.

Jeremic said that in talks he held recently with US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Daneil Fried , he stressed Serbia’s determination to establish the rule of law, democracy, Euro-Atlantic integration, good neighbourly relations and a market economy.

Serbia agrees with the US upon all points except one, since it is not ready to abandon its right to territorial integrity and sovereignty, which is a position founded in international law, stressed Jeremic.

The Minister said that Serbia should have open communication with the US at all times, which at present is the most powerful country in the world in almost all criteria relevant for resolving our essential problems.

According to Jeremic, this concerns the majority of issues upon which the two countries are in agreement, and not the questions on which there is a difference in opinion, such as the future status of Kosovo-Metohija.

The task for Serbian diplomacy is to maintain this dialogue at the highest possible level and with the highest degree of understanding, even regarding questions upon which there is serious disagreement, concluded the Serbian Foreign Minister.