Q:
A:
Serbia will discuss EULEX with UN only
Vienna,
10 November 2008
Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic stated today, in an interview for the Vienna daily Standard, that the outcome of talks on the EULEX mission in Kosovo-Metohija can be either the acceptance of Serbia’s terms or obstruction of the UN Security Council.
File photo of Vuk Jeremic
Author:
Tanjug
Jeremic stressed that Moscow will endorse what is acceptable to Serbia, as well as oppose at the UN Security Council all that is unacceptable to Belgrade.
Only the UN Security Council can approve the transformation of the international presence in Kosovo. We have nothing against that, provided that EULEX does not violate Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressed the Minister.
He explained that there must be a written confirmation stating that EULEX will be status-neutral and will not implement the Ahtisaari plan. If the agreement is not reached the current UNMIK mission will remain the only legal international mission in the province, he added.
Jeremic said that some countries have exerted pressure on the UN Secretariat to alter its stance, adding that Serbia’s position is that talks on EULEX can be concluded either with the acceptance of Serbia’s terms or obstruction of the UN Security Council.
According to him Serbia’s policy toward Kosovo naturally differs from the interests of countries that recognised Kosovo’s independence.
As for the claim that Belgrade’s policy to Kosovo is decelerating the EU integration process, Jeremic emphasised that EU integration is the Serbian government’s strategic priority.
At the moment our policy towards Kosovo is not slowing down the country’s progress to full EU membership and we will do all we can to keep these two processes separate, he said, noting that this is the official policy of both Belgrade and Brussels.
Speaking about whether Serbia can become an EU member without first regulating its relationship with Pristina, Jeremic voiced hope that the matter will be solved in a mutually acceptable manner.
We expect the Intentional Court of Justice to ascertain that the declaration of independence was in contravention of international law, said Jeremic, adding that if Serbia manages to stop further recognition of the province’s independence Kosovo will never become a member of international organisations or be able to permanently define its status.
Because of the support of some states Pristina decided to unilaterally declare independence, it is up to us to show that this will not help them achieve their goals, said Jeremic.
Only the UN Security Council can approve the transformation of the international presence in Kosovo. We have nothing against that, provided that EULEX does not violate Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressed the Minister.
He explained that there must be a written confirmation stating that EULEX will be status-neutral and will not implement the Ahtisaari plan. If the agreement is not reached the current UNMIK mission will remain the only legal international mission in the province, he added.
Jeremic said that some countries have exerted pressure on the UN Secretariat to alter its stance, adding that Serbia’s position is that talks on EULEX can be concluded either with the acceptance of Serbia’s terms or obstruction of the UN Security Council.
According to him Serbia’s policy toward Kosovo naturally differs from the interests of countries that recognised Kosovo’s independence.
As for the claim that Belgrade’s policy to Kosovo is decelerating the EU integration process, Jeremic emphasised that EU integration is the Serbian government’s strategic priority.
At the moment our policy towards Kosovo is not slowing down the country’s progress to full EU membership and we will do all we can to keep these two processes separate, he said, noting that this is the official policy of both Belgrade and Brussels.
Speaking about whether Serbia can become an EU member without first regulating its relationship with Pristina, Jeremic voiced hope that the matter will be solved in a mutually acceptable manner.
We expect the Intentional Court of Justice to ascertain that the declaration of independence was in contravention of international law, said Jeremic, adding that if Serbia manages to stop further recognition of the province’s independence Kosovo will never become a member of international organisations or be able to permanently define its status.
Because of the support of some states Pristina decided to unilaterally declare independence, it is up to us to show that this will not help them achieve their goals, said Jeremic.
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