Q:
A:
Serbia expects ICJ to affirm illegality of Kosovo independence
Belgrade,
30 December 2008
Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic last night voiced hope that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will affirm Serbia’s stance concerning the illegal declaration of Kosovo independence, which will help prevent further pressure on Serbia to give up the fight for the preservation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
File photo of Vuk Jeremic
Author:
Fonet
In a statement to Pink Television, Jeremic said that the ICJ’s decision will not be obligatory but will certainly have a strong moral and political influence on international relations.
He said that Serbia will be in a more favourable position concerning Kosovo-Metohija as soon as the ICJ process begins.
The Minister said that Belgrade is very well aware that in early 2009 several countries will be under strong pressure to recognise Kosovo independence, adding that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is constantly making efforts to prevent further recognition of the province.
As for Montenegro and Macedonia’s decision to recognise Kosovo, Jeremic said that happened at a very unfavourable moment for Serbia, but their officials admitted they could not have resisted such pressure.
Jeremic pointed out that Serbia decided to act diplomatically in order not to inflict damage to its citizens, adding that economic relations between the countries have not deteriorated after the banishment of the Montenegrin and Macedonian ambassadors from Belgrade.
Jeremic recalled that Serbian President Boris Tadic’s stance is that it is up to the Macedonian and Montenegrin governments to suggest new ambassadors, whose background will be carefully checked, as Serbia wants to be sure that any new ambassadors will work on improving relations.
The Minister also said that the recently signed energy agreement with Russia will attract new investors to Serbia, adding that Russia will also benefit from the agreement as soon as Serbia joins the EU.
Jeremic pointed out that a precondition for EU integration is good relations with neighbouring countries, adding that there is room for such improvement.
The Minister recalled he had recently visited Bosnia-Herzegovina in order to convey a message of peace. Serbia’s strategic goal is to acquire EU candidate status in 2009, in order to join the EU in the upcoming period, concluded Jeremic.
He said that Serbia will be in a more favourable position concerning Kosovo-Metohija as soon as the ICJ process begins.
The Minister said that Belgrade is very well aware that in early 2009 several countries will be under strong pressure to recognise Kosovo independence, adding that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is constantly making efforts to prevent further recognition of the province.
As for Montenegro and Macedonia’s decision to recognise Kosovo, Jeremic said that happened at a very unfavourable moment for Serbia, but their officials admitted they could not have resisted such pressure.
Jeremic pointed out that Serbia decided to act diplomatically in order not to inflict damage to its citizens, adding that economic relations between the countries have not deteriorated after the banishment of the Montenegrin and Macedonian ambassadors from Belgrade.
Jeremic recalled that Serbian President Boris Tadic’s stance is that it is up to the Macedonian and Montenegrin governments to suggest new ambassadors, whose background will be carefully checked, as Serbia wants to be sure that any new ambassadors will work on improving relations.
The Minister also said that the recently signed energy agreement with Russia will attract new investors to Serbia, adding that Russia will also benefit from the agreement as soon as Serbia joins the EU.
Jeremic pointed out that a precondition for EU integration is good relations with neighbouring countries, adding that there is room for such improvement.
The Minister recalled he had recently visited Bosnia-Herzegovina in order to convey a message of peace. Serbia’s strategic goal is to acquire EU candidate status in 2009, in order to join the EU in the upcoming period, concluded Jeremic.
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