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EULEX mandate must not repudiate Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity
Belgrade,
22 October 2008
Serbian Minister for Kosovo-Metohija Goran Bogdanovic stated today that the government is not against the presence of EU on Serbian territory, including Kosovo-Metohija, but only on condition that EULEX mandate does not repudiate Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Bogdanovic told the Tanjug news agency that a possible acceptance of EULEX mission is not related to Serbia’s membership of the EU, as these are two separate processes.
We also received such confirmations from Brussels. If it happens that Serbia is forced to accept Kosovo’s independence, then we would certainly give up EU membership, the Minister said.
He stated that the government is EU oriented, adding that Serbia is ready to discuss the EULEX mission.
This mission is acceptable in Kosovo under three conditions, upon a decision of the UN Security Council, to be status neutral and that the Marti Ahtisaari plan is not implemented, Bogdanovic stated.
The Minister said Serbs should not worry, as Serbia’s official state policy on Kosovo has not changed.
Any international civilian presence in Kosovo can be reconfigured only with Serbia’s consent and with the explicit confirmation of the Security Council, Bogdanovic said.
The Serb community has little confidence in the international community, as UNMIK has done very little to improve life for Serbs in the past nine years, he said.
This refers to respect for human and civilian rights, respect of personal property and freedom of movement, said Bogdanovic.
The state will fight for its province by peaceful, diplomatic and legal means, he said, noting that this is the only way to avoid risk, reduce tension and to provide better conditions for the return of those exiled during 1999 and 2004.
We also received such confirmations from Brussels. If it happens that Serbia is forced to accept Kosovo’s independence, then we would certainly give up EU membership, the Minister said.
He stated that the government is EU oriented, adding that Serbia is ready to discuss the EULEX mission.
This mission is acceptable in Kosovo under three conditions, upon a decision of the UN Security Council, to be status neutral and that the Marti Ahtisaari plan is not implemented, Bogdanovic stated.
The Minister said Serbs should not worry, as Serbia’s official state policy on Kosovo has not changed.
Any international civilian presence in Kosovo can be reconfigured only with Serbia’s consent and with the explicit confirmation of the Security Council, Bogdanovic said.
The Serb community has little confidence in the international community, as UNMIK has done very little to improve life for Serbs in the past nine years, he said.
This refers to respect for human and civilian rights, respect of personal property and freedom of movement, said Bogdanovic.
The state will fight for its province by peaceful, diplomatic and legal means, he said, noting that this is the only way to avoid risk, reduce tension and to provide better conditions for the return of those exiled during 1999 and 2004.
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