Q:
A:
Belgrade’s proposal ensures regional stability, peace
Belgrade,
25 September 2007
Serbian Minister for Kosovo-Metohija Slobodan Samardzic stated that Belgrade’s position in the negotiating process on Kosovo-Metohija is much better than before, however the possibility of a unilateral declaration of independence and its recognition by the US and a number of European countries still remains.
Author:
Fonet
At the session of the Serbian parliament Committee for Kosovo-Metohija, Samardzic said that though Serbia’s position has been improving, there can be no guarantees that the situation will completely turn in its favour.
He said that the international milieu is very complex and explained that it is better for Belgrade that the situation has become more complicated than it was two years ago when the solution implying Kosovo independence had much more advocates in the world.
Regardless of clues indicating that the new negotiating process was initiated only to buy more time, we presented our stance and tried to convince our collocutors from the international community that Serbia’s intentions are good and that the plan it has come up with will reconcile irreconcilable interests, stressed Minister Samardzic.
He explained that Belgrade's proposal satisfies three requirements - that Serbia keeps sovereignty and territorial integrity in Kosovo, that Serbs in Kosovo live in their Serbian state, with jurisdiction to defend their identity and third requirement of the ethnic Albanians to govern their lives by themselves to the greatest extent possible, without Belgrade's interference.
The Minister for Kosovo-Metohija warned that the position of the US is clear and openly supports independence, which means that they are not doing anything to convince Albanians that they should negotiate. That is why it should be expected that Albanians will not approach the negotiations seriously.
Samardzic said that during negotiations Russia's clear stance has been clarified even more, which is that international law must not be violated. He added that among EU members there is a confusion concerning Kosovo's future status, especially because EU countries do not want to take over the role of UNMIK without a clear international decision.
Announcing direct negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina that will be held in New York on September 28, Samardzic said that the Belgrade delegation will try to win as much support for its proposal as possible because it guarantees stability and security in the region.
He said that the international milieu is very complex and explained that it is better for Belgrade that the situation has become more complicated than it was two years ago when the solution implying Kosovo independence had much more advocates in the world.
Regardless of clues indicating that the new negotiating process was initiated only to buy more time, we presented our stance and tried to convince our collocutors from the international community that Serbia’s intentions are good and that the plan it has come up with will reconcile irreconcilable interests, stressed Minister Samardzic.
He explained that Belgrade's proposal satisfies three requirements - that Serbia keeps sovereignty and territorial integrity in Kosovo, that Serbs in Kosovo live in their Serbian state, with jurisdiction to defend their identity and third requirement of the ethnic Albanians to govern their lives by themselves to the greatest extent possible, without Belgrade's interference.
The Minister for Kosovo-Metohija warned that the position of the US is clear and openly supports independence, which means that they are not doing anything to convince Albanians that they should negotiate. That is why it should be expected that Albanians will not approach the negotiations seriously.
Samardzic said that during negotiations Russia's clear stance has been clarified even more, which is that international law must not be violated. He added that among EU members there is a confusion concerning Kosovo's future status, especially because EU countries do not want to take over the role of UNMIK without a clear international decision.
Announcing direct negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina that will be held in New York on September 28, Samardzic said that the Belgrade delegation will try to win as much support for its proposal as possible because it guarantees stability and security in the region.
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