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Kosovo’s illegal independence adds to regional instability
Belgrade/Podcetrtek,
21 June 2008
State Secretary of Defence Dusan Spasojevic stated today at the meeting of defence ministers from south-eastern Europe that Kosovo’s illegal declaration of independence does not add to stability in the region.
In a phone statement to the Tanjug news agency, Spasojevic stressed that the Serbian delegation stated at the meeting that the attempt to solve Kosovo status by unilateral moves, such as the declaration of independence by provisional institutions in Pristina and its recognition by some states, has absolutely not helped to improve regional stability.
He warned that this instability indeed has repercussions on the safety of all citizens living in the Western Balkans.
The Serbian Defence Ministry delegation voiced its deep belief that there are still possibilities to find a mutually acceptable and compromise solution to the province’s future status through further talks within the UN, said Spasojevic.
He said that during the meeting Serbian representatives stressed it is important that KFOR’s role in Kosovo-Metohija remains unchanged and fully in line with Security Council Resolution 1244.
The main messages which Serbia voiced at the meeting were that regional cooperation in all areas, particularly in defence and security, is the key to further integration of the entire region and the prosperity of all southeast European countries, said Spasojevic.
The State Secretary stressed the importance of such meetings for all countries in the region because at these gatherings all forms of cooperation and opportunities for joint action are discussed. He added that Serbia is strongly and unambiguously committed to the improvement of regional cooperation and is very active in all regional initiatives.
He illustrated this saying that centres of the Serbian Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Army, such as the Medical Military Academy, have been accepted as the leading centres in these areas and will soon become regional centres with international licences and recognised by the UN, EU and the Partnership for Peace.
Spasojevic concluded that the two-day gathering, attended not only by ministers from south-eastern Europe but also by EU and NATO representatives, was very successful.
The Serbian delegation also held bilateral meetings with defence ministers from Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro, as well as with the Macedonian Deputy Minister of Defence.
He warned that this instability indeed has repercussions on the safety of all citizens living in the Western Balkans.
The Serbian Defence Ministry delegation voiced its deep belief that there are still possibilities to find a mutually acceptable and compromise solution to the province’s future status through further talks within the UN, said Spasojevic.
He said that during the meeting Serbian representatives stressed it is important that KFOR’s role in Kosovo-Metohija remains unchanged and fully in line with Security Council Resolution 1244.
The main messages which Serbia voiced at the meeting were that regional cooperation in all areas, particularly in defence and security, is the key to further integration of the entire region and the prosperity of all southeast European countries, said Spasojevic.
The State Secretary stressed the importance of such meetings for all countries in the region because at these gatherings all forms of cooperation and opportunities for joint action are discussed. He added that Serbia is strongly and unambiguously committed to the improvement of regional cooperation and is very active in all regional initiatives.
He illustrated this saying that centres of the Serbian Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Army, such as the Medical Military Academy, have been accepted as the leading centres in these areas and will soon become regional centres with international licences and recognised by the UN, EU and the Partnership for Peace.
Spasojevic concluded that the two-day gathering, attended not only by ministers from south-eastern Europe but also by EU and NATO representatives, was very successful.
The Serbian delegation also held bilateral meetings with defence ministers from Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro, as well as with the Macedonian Deputy Minister of Defence.
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