Q:
A:
Serbia to continue enforcing its authority in Kosovo-Metohija
Belgrade,
26 February 2008
Serbian Minister for Kosovo-Metohija Slobodan Samardzic stated last night that Serbia will expand its competencies in Kosovo-Metohija, adding that UNMIK should resume its tasks in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244.
In a statement to Radio Television Serbia, following a visit to the southern Serbian province, Samardzic stressed that Serbia respects UNMIK’s mandate under the altered circumstances, but will not let the situation of declared independence remain permanent.
Samardzic said that during the meeting with UN Secretary General Special Envoy Joachim Ruecker he stated that after February 17 no one, and least of all UNMIK, can pretend not to see that the situation has completely changed.
UNMIK is facing a challenge, and that is the violation of Resolution 1244 and international law, stressed Samardzic.
According to him, interim institutions in Pristina do not acknowledge UNMIK because they are thinking of independence after this organisation leaves the province.
Our goal is to have UNMIK remain in the province, and I believe that the international community and the Security Council will agree with that, said the minister and explained that his visit to Serb enclaves in Kosovo-Metohija is not connected with his meeting with Ruecker, but was planned as part of the government’s support plan to Serbs in the province.
Samardzic emphasised that Serbia will continue enforcing its authority in the province wherever it can, even though international law was violated by the province’s unilateral proclamation of independence.
He added that he visited six Serb enclaves in Kosovo-Metohija and talked with Serb representatives about ways to help them.
Samardzic said that during the meeting with UN Secretary General Special Envoy Joachim Ruecker he stated that after February 17 no one, and least of all UNMIK, can pretend not to see that the situation has completely changed.
UNMIK is facing a challenge, and that is the violation of Resolution 1244 and international law, stressed Samardzic.
According to him, interim institutions in Pristina do not acknowledge UNMIK because they are thinking of independence after this organisation leaves the province.
Our goal is to have UNMIK remain in the province, and I believe that the international community and the Security Council will agree with that, said the minister and explained that his visit to Serb enclaves in Kosovo-Metohija is not connected with his meeting with Ruecker, but was planned as part of the government’s support plan to Serbs in the province.
Samardzic emphasised that Serbia will continue enforcing its authority in the province wherever it can, even though international law was violated by the province’s unilateral proclamation of independence.
He added that he visited six Serb enclaves in Kosovo-Metohija and talked with Serb representatives about ways to help them.
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