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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

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France supports negotiating process on Kosovo-Metohija’s future status

Bucharest, 4 September 2007

Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic stated today in Bucharest, following a meeting with his French counterpart Bernard Kouchner, that France supports the negotiating process on Kosovo-Metohija future status and advocates a solution resulting from this process.

Vuk Jeremic

In a statement to the FoNet news agency, Jeremic said he hopes that this will be a compromise solution which will open and speed up the European road for the Western Balkans.

He pointed out that France fully endorses Serbia’s EU integration process and that it is one of the loudest advocates in its support to Serbia’s European future.

There is no doubt that France wants Serbia in the EU, said Jeremic and recalled that France will take over the EU’s rotating presidency in the second half of 2008, that is, when Serbia intends to become an EU candidate country.

Jeremic announced he will brief Romanian officials on Serbia’s stance regarding the European future of the Western Balkans and the issue of the Kosovo-Metohija status.

Romania is one of the countries which fully support our views on these issues, said Jeremic and recalled that Romanian Foreign Minister Adrian Cioroianu said that Romania endorses a compromise solution for the Serbian province acceptable for both sides.

In a speech held at the annual gathering of Romanian diplomats, attended by Romanian officials as well as French and British foreign ministers Bernard Kouchner and David Miliband, Jeremic stressed that the manner in which the Kosovo status issue is settled will determine the future of the West Balkans.

An imposed solution which is not approved by the Security Council could lead to a situation which would almost certainly get out of control. It would also set a precedent which could give legitimacy to forced partition of internationally recognised countries, explained the Minister.

He expressed gratitude to Romanian officials and to Romania for the support provided by Bucharest in seeking a solution for Kosovo-Metohija which is based on compromise, acceptable to both sides.

According to Jeremic, it would not be an exaggeration to say that a unilateral solution would jeopardise the European future of the West Balkans, while seriously isolating Serbia.

He expressed satisfaction with the fact that the beginning of new neogtiations is signaling stronger willingness to reach a solution which would advance consolidation of democratic values, economic transformation of the Balkans and security in Europe.

Serbia firmly believes that the first step to peace is to reject violence, stressed Jeremic, and pointed to the fact that the solution will be found quicker if there are no time limitations on the negotiations.

According to Jeremic, without artificial deadlines the two sides will be obliged to work as partners looking for a European solution instead of remaining the problem of the Balkans.

The Minister pointed to the fact that Serbia is firmly determined to carry on with the process of European integration and recalled that quicker entry in the EU is a strategic priority of the Serbian government.

He said that recently at the Strategic Forum in Bled, he invited European leaders to take a more courageous stand regarding the Balkans and suggested that all countries in the region be given candidate status instantly since that is the best way to accelerate the European process and transcend negative consequences of the past.

Jeremic said that tomorrow in Brussels he will submit the presentation document of Serbia for the Partnership for Peace programme and reiterated that Belgrade is determined to play a constructive role in strengthening security in South East Europe and in the world.

Commenting on the history of Serbia’s relations with NATO, the Minister said that events which took place in 1999 cannot be forgotten, but stressed that we must work together in order to make sure that such conflicts do not break out in this part of the world ever again.

Jeremic spoke with Romanian President Traian Basesku, Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tăriceanu, Minister of Defence Teodor Melescanu and Speaker of the Senate Nicolae Vacaroiu.