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Jeremic calls on countries in the region not to recognise Kosovo independence
Belgrade/Athens,
19 March 2008
Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic today in Athens called on countries in the region of the south-western Balkans not to recognise Kosovo’s independence and thus violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia, their good neighbour.
Vuk Jeremic
Author:
Fonet
Speaking at a press conference held after a meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyanni, Jeremic said that countries in the region should help Serbia find a solution for Kosovo-Metohija which will enable everyone to live in peace and stability.
He reiterated that a country which violates Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity cannot expect to have the same relations with Serbia as before that decision.
The Serbian Foreign Minister warned that if a major part of the international community recognised Kosovo's independence and therefore, the violation of international law, then that would be an attempt to create a new reality which would not be the reality of peace and stability in the south-western Balkans.
Serbia will fight with all means for that reality not to materialise and instead find a solution that will lead to stability and the region's integration, Jeremic said.
For that reason, Serbia highly appreciates Greece’s stance, which has not recognised Kosovo's independence and has no intentions of doing so.
Jeremic said that parliamentary elections in Serbia that will be held on May 11 will be of great importance for the country and the region, but despite all the divisions and differences that exist in Serbia, there is one thing that will not change whoever wins the elections and that is the policy towards Kosovo-Metohija.
The winner will continue implementing Serbia’s policy for Kosovo in the way it has been formulated until now. This is an uncompromising fight for the preservation of our sovereignty and territorial integrity, said Jeremic and recalled that this has been the top priority of the current government as well.
Bakoyanni said that she briefed Jeremic on the meeting of EU foreign ministers and informed him of their true wish for good cooperation and relations with Serbia.
She emphasised that Greece will never stop working on Serbia’s EU road because the development of overall relations with the EU is the future of Serbia and the region.
Having warned that the south-western Balkans is going through a difficult time, Bakoyanni said that bearing in mind stability and peace in the region, it is necessary to join forces and strengthen the peace.
Greece is strategically devoted to that and we therefore endorse the Euro Atlantic road of all countries in the region, said Bakoyanni.
He reiterated that a country which violates Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity cannot expect to have the same relations with Serbia as before that decision.
The Serbian Foreign Minister warned that if a major part of the international community recognised Kosovo's independence and therefore, the violation of international law, then that would be an attempt to create a new reality which would not be the reality of peace and stability in the south-western Balkans.
Serbia will fight with all means for that reality not to materialise and instead find a solution that will lead to stability and the region's integration, Jeremic said.
For that reason, Serbia highly appreciates Greece’s stance, which has not recognised Kosovo's independence and has no intentions of doing so.
Jeremic said that parliamentary elections in Serbia that will be held on May 11 will be of great importance for the country and the region, but despite all the divisions and differences that exist in Serbia, there is one thing that will not change whoever wins the elections and that is the policy towards Kosovo-Metohija.
The winner will continue implementing Serbia’s policy for Kosovo in the way it has been formulated until now. This is an uncompromising fight for the preservation of our sovereignty and territorial integrity, said Jeremic and recalled that this has been the top priority of the current government as well.
Bakoyanni said that she briefed Jeremic on the meeting of EU foreign ministers and informed him of their true wish for good cooperation and relations with Serbia.
She emphasised that Greece will never stop working on Serbia’s EU road because the development of overall relations with the EU is the future of Serbia and the region.
Having warned that the south-western Balkans is going through a difficult time, Bakoyanni said that bearing in mind stability and peace in the region, it is necessary to join forces and strengthen the peace.
Greece is strategically devoted to that and we therefore endorse the Euro Atlantic road of all countries in the region, said Bakoyanni.
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