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Process of negotiations on Kosovo issue must end in UN Security Council

Belgrade/Baden, 27 November 2007

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said today in Baden that the process of negotiations on the issue of the future status of Kosovo-Metohija must end where it began – in the United Nations Security Council.

Vojislav Kostunica

Author: Reuters

Following a meeting between the Serbian delegation and the mediating troika, which took place as part of the three-day talks on the future status of Kosovo-Metohija, Kostunica said that unilateral declaration of independence would be a criminal act since it means violation of international law.

He stressed that the negotiations process does not end in Baden or with the report by the Contact Group’s troika to the UN Secretary General, and reiterated that Serbia, regarding the issue of the status of Kosovo-Metohija, will consider as legitimate only a decision by the Security Council and any other decision a violation of international law.

The Serbian Prime Minister said that Serbia upholds respect of international law, and the international law supports us.

According to Kostunica, recent negotiations unfolded without balance, precisely due to the fact that Kosovo Albanians sought a solution outside international law.

Kostunica said that unlike Belgrade, during two years of negotiations Pristina did not present a single concrete plan, apart from the repeated demand for independence.

Serbia attempted throughout to come forward with new ideas and arguments, which is reflected in talks held so far. It has been proven that when concrete solutions in modern substantial autonomy are in question, Serbia presented various new ideas and arguments.

He pointed to the fact that Serbia, as a negotiating side, advocates respect for fundamental principles of international law, above all the territorial integrity and sovereignty of internationally recognised states and is making efforts to reach a compromise, while Pristina is looking for a solution outside international law.

Kostunica stressed that the only acceptable decision for Serbia will be one which is brought by the UN Security Council, and everything else, such as the idea of neutral status or unilateral declaration of independence, are absolutely unacceptable.

These talks, from our perspective, were not unsuccessful since during the mandate of the troika, which was constructive and balanced, Serbia had the opportunity to present its proposal in detail, said Kostunica.

Responding to a question regarding Serbia’s course of action in case of a unilateral declaration of independence by Pristina, Kostunica said that Belgrade will annul such an act as illegitimate.

This is not only Serbia’s stand, but the position of international law, and the harm done to Serbia will be incomparable to consequences for international law and the UN. In case of a unilateral declaration of independence, the authority of the Security Council will be seriously undermined, stressed the Serbian Prime Minister.