Q:
A:
Basis for continuation of Kosovo negotiations created
Belgrade,
26 December 2007
Serbian Minister for Kosovo-Metohija Slobodan Samardzic said today that negotiations mediated by the Contract Group’s troika did not produce results because of obstructions created by the Albanian negotiating team.
Slobodan Samardzic addresses the Serbian parliament
In his speech in Serbian parliament, Samardzic said that these negotiations were better and more open than the process conducted by Martti Ahtisaari because there was discussion of the status issue and the Albanian side was obliged to talk about Belgrade’s proposal for the future status of Kosovo-Metohija.
He said that a minimal, but adequate basis has been created to seek continuation of negotiations, which is what Russia did in the Security Council. He added that unfortunately negotiations could not lead to a solution because there was no motivation on the Albanian side.
According to Samardzic, Albanians are not responsible for this, rather the US and a certain number of Western countries which encouraged them to hinder talks.
The Minister recalled that the State negotiating team approached the new phase of negotiations with good will, starting from the previous platform and giving it new elements, in line with needs of the new phase of negotiations.
Samardzic said that the troika showed "unrestrained pragmatism" during the negotiations when it proposed to Serbs and Albanians to reach an agreement on whatever they want, which would be subsequently accepted as a solution.
He said that Belgrade did not accept that path because it stuck to the mandate which the UN Secretary-General gave to the troika – and that is to talk about the status of Kosovo and that mutual relations can be discussed only after the status issue is settled.
The Minister said that the Albanian side acted the same as before. It was more or less disinterested to give proposals and acted quite comfortably, as if the result of the negotiations were already known.
Concluding the speech on the previous negotiating process, Samardzic said that in this phase of the negotiations Serbia acquired additional international capital which should be supported and augmented immediately. It consists of support of a great number of countries, because Serbia defends its interests on the basis of international and its own law.
Serbia convinced all those countries that independence of Kosovo would be a dangerous precedent so it is gathering more and more support. We are convinced that we will achieve success in line with our goals and state interests, the Minister for Kosovo-Metohija concluded.
He said that a minimal, but adequate basis has been created to seek continuation of negotiations, which is what Russia did in the Security Council. He added that unfortunately negotiations could not lead to a solution because there was no motivation on the Albanian side.
According to Samardzic, Albanians are not responsible for this, rather the US and a certain number of Western countries which encouraged them to hinder talks.
The Minister recalled that the State negotiating team approached the new phase of negotiations with good will, starting from the previous platform and giving it new elements, in line with needs of the new phase of negotiations.
Samardzic said that the troika showed "unrestrained pragmatism" during the negotiations when it proposed to Serbs and Albanians to reach an agreement on whatever they want, which would be subsequently accepted as a solution.
He said that Belgrade did not accept that path because it stuck to the mandate which the UN Secretary-General gave to the troika – and that is to talk about the status of Kosovo and that mutual relations can be discussed only after the status issue is settled.
The Minister said that the Albanian side acted the same as before. It was more or less disinterested to give proposals and acted quite comfortably, as if the result of the negotiations were already known.
Concluding the speech on the previous negotiating process, Samardzic said that in this phase of the negotiations Serbia acquired additional international capital which should be supported and augmented immediately. It consists of support of a great number of countries, because Serbia defends its interests on the basis of international and its own law.
Serbia convinced all those countries that independence of Kosovo would be a dangerous precedent so it is gathering more and more support. We are convinced that we will achieve success in line with our goals and state interests, the Minister for Kosovo-Metohija concluded.
-
Belgrade/Brussels, 4 March 2026Preservation of Serbian institutions in Kosovo and Metohija key to peace, stability in region
-
Belgrade, 1 March 2026Five Serbs from village of Suvo Grlo near Srbica in Kosovo and Metohija detained
-
Belgrade, 25 February 2026Priština endangers survival of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija with escalatory moves
-
Belgrade, 12 February 2026Gratitude to Spain for consistent support on Kosovo and Metohija issue
-
Belgrade, 10 February 2026Belgrade seeks urgent EU response over pressures on Serbian institutions in Kosovo and Metohija
-
Belgrade, 5 February 2026UNMIK’s greater visibility, presence needed on ground
-
Belgrade/Brussels, 22 January 2026Accelerate resolution of issue of missing persons
-
Belgrade, 16 January 2026Concrete steps needed to establish Community of Serb Municipalities
-
Belgrade, 11 December 2025Belgrade firmly committed to peace, stability in region
