Keepin touch

Whether you have a question, comment, suggestion or any problem in the purview of the government, send us your message and we will try to respond as soon as possible. If your problem is not in our purview, we will forward your message to the relevant institution.

The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Majority expectation, Serbia’s proposed resolution

Belgrade, 17 August 2008

Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic said he expects Serbia’s proposed resolution, asking the UN General Assembly to seek the opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legality of Kosovo’s independence, to be accepted by a majority vote.

Vuk Jeremic at today's press conference

At a press conference upon his return from New York, where he submitted the proposed resolution to the UN General Assembly’s official procedure, Jeremic told a press conference that Russia will continue supporting Serbia regarding Kosovo-Metohija, and will consequently endorse the proposed resolution.

He stressed that there will be no changes in Russia’s stance, which was confirmed in his talk with Russian representatives in New York.

A difficult fight is ahead to get a majority at the General Assembly, said Jeremic and explained that a simple majority vote is necessary for the proposed resolution to be forwarded to the ICJ.

He explained that there has to be one vote more in favour of the proposed resolution than against it, that is, a simple majority.

He noted that a special team of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed by Assistant Minister Feodor Starcevic, has been in New York for a month and a half talking to representatives of UN member countries on a daily basis.

So far we have had contacts with 130–140 countries regarding the resolution, he said adding that the majority is inclined towards Serbia, whereas a considerable number of countries do not want to state that they will vote for it.

According to him, if Serbia’s initiative is successful, it may be expected that the process of Kosovo’s recognition will be halted for a while.

He noted that the long-term effect will depend on the ICJ’s opinion.

Our team expects that the ICJ cannot state that the unilaterally declared independence by Kosovo is in line with international law, said the Minister.

If our expectations are fulfilled, the negotiating parties will sit down again and talk, because it will be clear that a solution to the Kosovo issue cannot be imposed outside the norms of international law, he said.

Jeremic stressed that Serbia’s resolution is the most important step in the defence of a country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity because the goal is to transfer the Kosovo issue to the filed of international law.

Since we think that international law has been violated, Serbia has the greatest chance of success precisely in that field because our strongest arguments are there, he said.

The Minister noted that during his visit to the UN he voiced expectation that reorganisation of the civilian presence in Kosovo will not be completed without Belgrade’s participation and the support of the Security Council.

We will continue talks with UNMIK on the modalities of the international civilian presence, he announced and said he expects the talks with UNMIK representatives to resume in the coming days and weeks.

Jeremic recalled that the process of transferring jurisdiction from UNMIK to EULEX has begun without the consent of all interested parties and explicit support by the Security Council.

As for student Miladin Kovacevic, who is wanted by the US, the Minister said it was his own decision to stay in Serbia, adding that Serbian laws are clear and that they protect Serbian citizens.

He noted that he regrets this situation which has harmed Serbia’s image in the world, adding that it will be best if it is resolved to the satisfaction of both sides.