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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Serbia tries hard to reach compromise solution for Kosovo-Metohija

Belgrade/Budapest, 13 November 2007

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said today in Budapest that from the very beginning of the talks on the Kosovo-Metohija future status, as well as today when they are drawing to a close, Serbia has been trying hard to reach a compromise solution respectful of the fundamental principle of international law – the respect of territorial integrity and sovereignty of internationally recognised states.

Vojislav Kostunica, left, and Ferenc Gyurcsany

At the joint press conference following a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany, Kostunica stressed that as for the solution to the province’s future status, Serbia will stick to the UN Charter, UN Security Council Resolution 1244, the Helsinki Act and its own Constitution which states that Kosovo-Metohija is an integral part of Serbia.

He stressed that any decision in contravention of these documents will breach the Serbian Constitution and added that if the province unilaterally declares independence, Serbia will annihilate that decision and together with the Serbian President and Parliament he will decide on the steps they will take.

Kostunica disapproved of the situation in which a country is forced to choose between respecting the law and breaking it and reiterated that the solution to the Kosovo issue must be the widest possible autonomy for the province without any alteration of borders.

He warned that the issue of Kosovo-Metohija is not only a regional or an EU problem, but is also important at the global level.

The Prime Minister said he acquainted Gyurcsany with Serbia’s stance and efforts to reach a compromise solution and recalled that Belgrade has always advocated the proposal of substantial autonomy.

Kostunica emphasised that Serbia has done everything to reach that solution, whereas the Albanian side has done very little, almost nothing.

According to him, Serbia will keep doing its best to reach compromise, and noted that this is most easily attained with the respect of international law.

He also stated that he and Gyurcsany discussed economic cooperation between Serbia and Hungary, infrastructure development, as well as the improvement of the position of national minorities in both countries.

He said that there is a small Serbian minority in Hungary, whereas in Serbia there is a much more numerous Hungarian national minority, which serve as a basis for good relations. However, a lot can be done on the improvement of their position.

Gyurcsany said to the press that Hungary participates in the formation of a unique EU stance on the resolution of future status of Kosovo-Metohija. He underlined that his country wishes that Belgrade and Pristina reach a compromise that would be a basis for the future solution.

He said that it is very important that all participants in the talks understand that no progress can be made by taking unilateral steps, but that it is necessary to look for allies and compromise, in which it is of crucial importance that Belgrade and Pristina reach an agreement.

The Hungarian Prime Minister said that main topics of the talks with Kostunica were bilateral relations, economic cooperation and the position of national minorities in both countries.

He said that relations between Serbia and Hungary have been intensified in the past several years, but that it is necessary to improve them.

An official reception was made today in Budapest for the Serbian Prime Minister at the Kossuth Square in front of the Hungarian parliament building.

Kostunica also spoke with Hungarian President Laszlo Solyom and parliament Speaker Katalin Szili, after which he laid wreaths to the monument of Unknown hero at the Square of the Heroes and visited the Serbian Orthodox Church of St. George in Budapest.

The Serbian Prime Minister also participated in a meeting of the Danubian Commision, which on behalf of Serbia was presided over by Serbian Ambassador to Hungary Milovan Bozinovic. Kostunica visited the Tekelijanum building, the endowment of Sava Tekelija in Budapest.