Q:
A:
Jeremic invites OMIK to fulfil its mandate
Belgrade/Helsinki,
4 December 2008
Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic invited the OSCE to fulfil its mission’s mandate in Kosovo-Metohija, stressing that the mission can have a key role in the reconfigured international presence in the province.
Author:
Tanjug
At the 16th OSCE Ministerial Council meeting in Helsinki Jeremic noted that the OSCE Mission in Kosovo (OMIK) must take its status neutral stance seriously and fulfil its mandate.
Pointing out that EULEX’s upcoming engagement will be one of the greatest challenges for the OSCE and its members, Jeremic invited the OSCE to have a more constructive role in property and media related issues and to endorse Serbia’s proposal to set up shelters in the province to help the non-ethnic Albanian population.
OSCE member countries have invested considerable efforts and funds to ensure the peace, stability and safety of the divided Kosovo society. We are all aware of the fact that the mission’s future engagement in the province is one of the greatest challenges for the OSCE and its members, Jeremic reiterated.
He recalled that Serbia is the country with the largest number of registered refugees and IDPs within the OSCE and emphasised that a sustainable and dignified solution to this issue cannot be found without compensation for and return of property.
The Minister specified that over 200,000 Serbs from Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina have taken Serbian citizenship, whereas 74,000 have refugee status. He also noted that 200,000 Serbs from Kosovo-Metohija currently have the status of IDPs and are situated in central and northern Serbia.
According to him Serbia expects the authorities of neighbouring countries, such as Croatia, as well as authorities in Kosovo-Metohija, to fulfil their obligations regarding this issue.
He noted that 2008 has been the hardest year in Serbia’s political transition but that despite these problems, democracy has grown stronger and the pro-European perspective improved.
Serbia decided to use only diplomatic means and remain composed regarding the attack on its territorial integrity and sovereignty and the violation of its Constitution, the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and the UN Security Council’s will, stressed the Minister.
He reiterated that the way Belgrade reacted to the unilaterally declared Kosovo independence is the best proof that democratic authorities in Serbia opted for peaceful solutions.
By its actions and initiatives Serbia showed that it is the base of stability and security in South East Europe, Jeremic pointed out and recalled that Serbia asked for the International Court of Justice’s opinion on the legality of Kosovo independence.
This is the first time in history that such a complicated and important issue, including identity, borders, citizens’ rights and the history of a state has been solved without the use of force and weapons.
The Minister commended the reconfiguration of the international civilian presence in Kosovo-Metohija, adding that this is of top importance for the protection of Serbs and other endangered communities in Kosovo and proves that Serbia is an indispensable factor in the province’s self-government.
Serbia expects to discuss the mechanisms of EULEX’s status-neutral deployment in the upcoming period with both the UN and the EU, said Jeremic.
He pointed out that Serbia will continue its commitment to the OSCE’s principles and values regarding interior and foreign policy, adding that an undivided, democratic Serbia will soon join the EU.
With its pride and sovereignty preserved, Serbia will contribute to permanent peace, security and cooperation in Europe, said the Minister.
Pointing out that EULEX’s upcoming engagement will be one of the greatest challenges for the OSCE and its members, Jeremic invited the OSCE to have a more constructive role in property and media related issues and to endorse Serbia’s proposal to set up shelters in the province to help the non-ethnic Albanian population.
OSCE member countries have invested considerable efforts and funds to ensure the peace, stability and safety of the divided Kosovo society. We are all aware of the fact that the mission’s future engagement in the province is one of the greatest challenges for the OSCE and its members, Jeremic reiterated.
He recalled that Serbia is the country with the largest number of registered refugees and IDPs within the OSCE and emphasised that a sustainable and dignified solution to this issue cannot be found without compensation for and return of property.
The Minister specified that over 200,000 Serbs from Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina have taken Serbian citizenship, whereas 74,000 have refugee status. He also noted that 200,000 Serbs from Kosovo-Metohija currently have the status of IDPs and are situated in central and northern Serbia.
According to him Serbia expects the authorities of neighbouring countries, such as Croatia, as well as authorities in Kosovo-Metohija, to fulfil their obligations regarding this issue.
He noted that 2008 has been the hardest year in Serbia’s political transition but that despite these problems, democracy has grown stronger and the pro-European perspective improved.
Serbia decided to use only diplomatic means and remain composed regarding the attack on its territorial integrity and sovereignty and the violation of its Constitution, the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and the UN Security Council’s will, stressed the Minister.
He reiterated that the way Belgrade reacted to the unilaterally declared Kosovo independence is the best proof that democratic authorities in Serbia opted for peaceful solutions.
By its actions and initiatives Serbia showed that it is the base of stability and security in South East Europe, Jeremic pointed out and recalled that Serbia asked for the International Court of Justice’s opinion on the legality of Kosovo independence.
This is the first time in history that such a complicated and important issue, including identity, borders, citizens’ rights and the history of a state has been solved without the use of force and weapons.
The Minister commended the reconfiguration of the international civilian presence in Kosovo-Metohija, adding that this is of top importance for the protection of Serbs and other endangered communities in Kosovo and proves that Serbia is an indispensable factor in the province’s self-government.
Serbia expects to discuss the mechanisms of EULEX’s status-neutral deployment in the upcoming period with both the UN and the EU, said Jeremic.
He pointed out that Serbia will continue its commitment to the OSCE’s principles and values regarding interior and foreign policy, adding that an undivided, democratic Serbia will soon join the EU.
With its pride and sovereignty preserved, Serbia will contribute to permanent peace, security and cooperation in Europe, said the Minister.
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