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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Belgrade won’t enter talks on Kosovo-Metohija without pre-established rules

Belgrade, 1 August 2007

Serbian Minister for Kosovo-Metohija Slobodan Samardzic stated today that in the course of the continued talks with ethnic Albanians on the Serbian province’s status, Belgrade will offer a high level of competencies in which Serbia would not interfere.

In a statement to the Tanjug news agency, Samardzic said that the competencies refer to the economic, social and cultural life, as well as international relations for which the province does not need the status of an international legal entity, such as regional cooperation and cooperation with international financial organisations which would agree to that.

The province would manage its own affairs within these competencies without Serbian interference, however a limited number of competencies would be reserved for Serbia and Kosovo-Metohija would not be able interfere in them, said Samardzic.

According to Minister Samardzic, Serbia would remain in charge of foreign policy, preservation of borders and protection of monuments of Serbian cultural and spiritual heritage.

These are the three most important competencies. As for defence and security, Belgrade proposes that after a certain period of international presence, Kosovo-Metohija should be permanently demilitarised, he added.

Speaking about the idea of a confederation of Serbia and Kosovo-Metohija, Samardzic said that this proposal was put forward as a kind of “semi-official offer” from certain Western circles and was immediately rejected by Belgrade.

Minister Samardzic said that a confederation is out of the question since such a relationship is made of independent states, and Kosovo-Metohija is part of Serbia. In addition, Kosovo has no right to hold a referendum on independence under any law - domestic, international, or according to opinions of the Badinter Commission. Therefore, only a state organisation or status that regulates the position of that province within the state can be discussed.

Substantial autonomy within Serbia is the maximum that can be given. The level of autonomy and competencies of the territorial autonomy are to be established during negotiations, explained Samardzic.

He said that wherever there is an indication of statehood or postponed or delayed statehood of Kosovo-Metohija, it should be known that Serbia will not accept that and that Belgrade is ready to negotiate only its status within Serbia.

According to him, Belgrade will not enter the new phase of negotiations with Pristina until the rules are established, which means that the talks must be direct and under the auspices of the UN Security Council.