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A:
Compromise solution to Kosovo-Metohija status can hasten European integration of Western Balkans
Belgrade/Paris,
19 October 2007
Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic said today in Paris that Serbian cultural heritage, with four monuments on UNESCO World Heritage List, are often targets of Albanian extremists instead of serving as bridges which connect the two peoples.
File photo of Vuk Jeremic
Author:
Tanjug
The Serbian Minister addressed the UNESCO 34th General Conference and said that over 150 other Serbian churches and monasteries have been destroyed in the previous eight years, including 35 only during the March 2004 pogrom.
Destruction of something that someone else created before means deleting the truth that you ever existed there and is an act of cultural cleansing, Jeremic stressed.
In Kosovo-Metohija, just like anywhere in the world, we cannot allow peace to be built on the ashes of destroyed cultural heritage. Unification cannot be sufficient for reconciliation and peace, diversity is necessary for that, said Jeremic.
Speaking on Kosovo status negotiations, he recalled that Serbia offered to Kosovo Albanians a concept of widest autonomy in interior affairs and institutional management, with respect of territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia in line with international law.
Jeremic pointed out that a compromise solution to the Kosovo-Metohija status can speed up European integration not only of Serbia but of all Western Balkan region.
I believe that a compromise that respects common sovereignty can consolidate regional democracy and bring sustainable prosperity for the whole region, Jeremic stressed.
He also thanked Director General of UNESCO Koïchiro Matsuura on his engagement as well as Italy, Czech Republic, EU and Council of Europe on support in reconstruction and preservation of Serbian cultural heritage in Kosovo-Metohija.
Destruction of something that someone else created before means deleting the truth that you ever existed there and is an act of cultural cleansing, Jeremic stressed.
In Kosovo-Metohija, just like anywhere in the world, we cannot allow peace to be built on the ashes of destroyed cultural heritage. Unification cannot be sufficient for reconciliation and peace, diversity is necessary for that, said Jeremic.
Speaking on Kosovo status negotiations, he recalled that Serbia offered to Kosovo Albanians a concept of widest autonomy in interior affairs and institutional management, with respect of territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia in line with international law.
Jeremic pointed out that a compromise solution to the Kosovo-Metohija status can speed up European integration not only of Serbia but of all Western Balkan region.
I believe that a compromise that respects common sovereignty can consolidate regional democracy and bring sustainable prosperity for the whole region, Jeremic stressed.
He also thanked Director General of UNESCO Koïchiro Matsuura on his engagement as well as Italy, Czech Republic, EU and Council of Europe on support in reconstruction and preservation of Serbian cultural heritage in Kosovo-Metohija.
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