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Goal of Serbia’s initiative in UN to return to talks on Kosovo

Belgrade, 14 August 2008

Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic stated that the aim of Serbia’s initiative in asking for the opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) before the UN General Assembly is to block the recognition of this act, while its long-term objective is to get back to the negotiating table.

File photo of Vuk Jeremic

Author: Tanjug

Jeremic told TV "Pink" that the short-term gain will be the fact that as long as the ICJ considers this issue no country will move to recognise Kosovo.

In the long run, after the ICJ states its position and we believe that the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo-Metohija is against international law, space will be created for both sides to get back to the negotiating table, he explained.

He expressed hope that most countries will back Serbia’s initiative before the UN General Assembly.

Reflecting on the comparison of the Georgia crisis and the Kosovo problem, Jeremic said that from the very start of the Kosovo crisis Serbia has been pointing out that the unilateral declaration of independence by the province is a serious precedent for solving other issues in the world.

The Caucasus showed how the military approach to this problem can be dangerous, he said and added that a legal and peaceful approach stands on the opposite side, the approach that Serbia has.

According to him, in this context, Serbia’s initiative is certain to bring peace and stability.

Speaking about his recent visits to Malaysia and Singapore, Jeremic said that the Malaysian authorities decided to freeze the process of recognising Kosovo’s independence while Singapore confirmed it will endorse Serbia’s initiative to ask at the UN General Assembly to seek the opinion of the ICJ on the legality of the unilaterally proclaimed independence by Kosovo-Metohija and will not recognise its independence.