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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Unilateral declaration independence violates basic UN principles

Novi Sad, 22 May 2008

Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic said today in Novi Sad that the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo-Metohija call into question the legitimacy of the UN since it violates a fundamental UN principle, which is the obligation of every member country to respect the territorial integrity of all sovereign countries.

Addressing the annual conference of the International Organization for Standardization's (ISO) Technical Committee 176, to mark the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the ISO 9001 standard, Jeremic said that when something happens for the first time then a precedent is set and the nature of this precedent is such that it can provoke large scale distrust in the UN and undermines all standards, rules and ethics.

The Minister said that in the age of globalisation the international system is becoming increasingly uncertain, unstable and unpredictable because of the precedent set in the Kosovo case.

According to Jeremic, this gives legitimacy to imposed solutions for ethnic conflicts and forced partition of internationally recognised sovereign states, and violates the principle of peaceful resolution of conflicts in Europe.

In order to rectify the damage done by the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo, Serbia plans to act in accordance with international norms, said the Minister.

Jeremic said that Belgrade, above all, intends to present a resolution before the UN General Assembly through which it will ask the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to state its opinion on the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo.

He said that of course, he cannot know what the ICJ will decide, adding that it is unthinkable that the court will ignore clear legal parameters which are the basis of the international order.

In that case, Kosovo will not join the international community of sovereign states since it will not get final international legitimacy, and will continue to be unattractive to foreign investors and incapable to prevent its collapse, without help by Belgrade, explained Jeremic.

According to Jeremic, new possibilities will then appear to start real negotiations on the future status of the southern Serbian province which will last until a compromise is reached.

The Minister said that in the meantime Serbia cannot afford to isolate itself; rather it must take the initiative, embrace all opportunities offered and concentrate on development.

Jeremic said that it is very important for Serbia to join the EU, because among other things it will contribute to the unity of the country and the consolidation of a national identity through accepting European values.