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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Serbia, Russia confirm joint principled policy on solving Kosovo-Metohija issue

Belgrade, 16 November 2007

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov confirmed today Serbia and Russia’s joint principled policy in the negotiating process to determine the Kosovo-Metohija future status which is based on full respect of international law, the universally binding Resolution 1244, UN Charter, Helsinki Final Act and the Serbian Constitution.

Author: Tanjug

They agreed that announcements stating that unilateral independence of Kosovo-Metohija will be declared after December 10 are unacceptable and that Serbia and Russia will not consent to any unilateral acts which violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia as an internationally-recognised state.

The Prime Minister stressed that Serbia is taking a constructive role in the negotiating process and that Belgrade’s delegation in Brussels will put forward new arguments in favour of the functionality and sustainability of the proposal on substantial autonomy for the Albanian minority in the province.

Zhukov emphasised that Russia’s principled position is that future solution for the province must be reached at the UN Security Council based on Resolution 1244 and must result from an agreement between Serbia and representatives of Kosovo Albanians.

He particularly stressed that the talks cannot be limited by artificial deadlines and that any solution outside the UN Security Council will be a dangerous precedent.

The meeting especially looked at the economic cooperation between Serbia and Russia and the collocutors agreed that this is a good example of their countries’ partner relations.

They also pointed out that it is in their mutual interest to begin strategic projects and that more joint investments in the energy sector, infrastructure, metal processing, banking, air traffic, construction and military are yet to come.

Zhukov was acquainted with the interest of certain Serbian companies to take part in constructing the infrastructure and facilities for the Olympics in Sochi.