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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Solution for Kosovo issue acceptable to both sides more important than artificial deadline

Belgrade/Moscow, 23 November 2007

Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic said today in Moscow that finding a solution for the issue of the future status of Kosovo-Metohija which is acceptable to both sides is far more important than the idea of respecting an artificial deadline.

Speaking at the state faculty for international relations, Jeremic said that December 10 is an artificially and arbitrarily determined deadline which favours the separatist demands of Kosovo Albanians.

He reiterated that Belgrade offers them institutionally unlimited autonomy with exceptionally wide authorities in self-governance, which also safeguards the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia.

We think that such a compromise is the only way to support and establish the extraordinary results achieved in Serbia and throughout the West Balkans since October 2000, stressed Jeremic.

The Minister said that this is the only way to secure lasting peace in the Balkans and accelerate progress in the region towards full EU membership.

Jeremic said that threats were made by the Kosovo Albanians that they will unilaterally declare the province independent without the approval of the Security Council, even when they know that at least one permanent member of the Security Council, Russia, will be against violent partition of Serbia.

According to Jeremic, such disrespect of international order would create a dangerous precedent, and create a situation where any country could be divided without its consent.

There are dozens of areas like Kosovo-Metohija throughout the world which are waiting for sovereignty to become questionable and cessation an acceptable norm, stressed Jeremic. He warned that this will lead to the intensification of existing conflicts and activation of frozen ones.

He said that this cannot be in the interest of international security and order which we are trying to strengthen.

Speaking on foreign policy priorities of Serbia, the Minister said that the fundamental question of the future status of Kosovo-Metohija is seriously jeopardising Serbia’s democratic capacities to sustain reforms which are necessary for joining the EU.

Serbia’s success in becoming a member of the EU will also reflect upon the special relations between Serbia and Russia. It would give Moscow a reliable friend in Brussels and expand Russia’s access to the joint European market, which would lead to better understanding and cooperation between Russia and the EU, said Jeremic.

He expressed gratitude for the support given by Moscow to Serbia in its efforts to find a solution based on compromise, acceptable to both sides, for the issue of the future status of Kosovo-Metohija, and said that he is satisfied over the fact that the long standing tradition of close friendship between Russia and Serbia continues to deepen.