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A:
Jeremic asks for OAS support in preserving Kosovo
Belgrade/Medellin,
2 June 2008
Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic asked yesterday for support from the Organisation of American States (OAS) in seeking the opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legality of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence.
File photo of Vuk Jeremic
Author:
Tanjug
Jeremic addressed the 38th OAS summit and thanked the countries members of OAS for supporting Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Serbia will use diplomatic, political and legal means to defend Kosovo, he said noting that Belgrade will in September request the UN General Assembly to adopt a resolution asking for ICJ's opinion on the Kosovo issue.
We are aware you have been advised to recognise Kosovo, and on behalf of Serbia I would like to thank you for your principled position not to do so, said Jeremic.
He also invited OAS members to remain abstained as that is the only way to avoid additional damage to the legitimacy of the international system of common universal values.
According to him, Kosovo’s illegal attempt at seceding has stricken the very heart of the binding principles of international order, which are listed in charters of the UN and regional organisations, including OAS, namely, respect of territorial integrity and sovereignty of states and inviolability of internationally recognised borders.
He stressed that this is a precedent with far-reaching consequences legitimising the violent division of UN members, which will instruct every ethnic or religious group how to carry out their goals.
Jeremic also stated that a UN resolution seeking the opinion of the ICJ would avoid further violation of the legitimacy of the international system and would pave the way for a compromise solution to the problem, which would be acceptable for all stakeholders and would also enable full integration of the Western Balkans into the EU.
He also announced that Serbia will strengthen ties with the western hemisphere adding that building bridges of understanding, mutual respect and solidarity is in the common interest of our nations.
Serbia will use diplomatic, political and legal means to defend Kosovo, he said noting that Belgrade will in September request the UN General Assembly to adopt a resolution asking for ICJ's opinion on the Kosovo issue.
We are aware you have been advised to recognise Kosovo, and on behalf of Serbia I would like to thank you for your principled position not to do so, said Jeremic.
He also invited OAS members to remain abstained as that is the only way to avoid additional damage to the legitimacy of the international system of common universal values.
According to him, Kosovo’s illegal attempt at seceding has stricken the very heart of the binding principles of international order, which are listed in charters of the UN and regional organisations, including OAS, namely, respect of territorial integrity and sovereignty of states and inviolability of internationally recognised borders.
He stressed that this is a precedent with far-reaching consequences legitimising the violent division of UN members, which will instruct every ethnic or religious group how to carry out their goals.
Jeremic also stated that a UN resolution seeking the opinion of the ICJ would avoid further violation of the legitimacy of the international system and would pave the way for a compromise solution to the problem, which would be acceptable for all stakeholders and would also enable full integration of the Western Balkans into the EU.
He also announced that Serbia will strengthen ties with the western hemisphere adding that building bridges of understanding, mutual respect and solidarity is in the common interest of our nations.
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