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Jeremic invites OAS countries not to recognise Kosovo independence

Belgrade/San Pedro Sula, 1 June 2009

Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic has called on members of the Organisation of American States (OAS) not to recognise Kosovo independence.

He reiterated that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is to decide over the legality of the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo-Metohija.

Addressing the 39th OAS general assembly, Jeremic thanked most of the OAS countries for their principled position respecting Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Not recognising Kosovo is the only way to avoid incurring more harm to the legitimacy of the international laws and universal values that we share, the Minister stressed, adding that the solution for the status of Kosovo must be mutually acceptable, a compromise, with concessions on both sides and good will.

He said that the ICJ will take around a year to decide the legality of the unilaterally declared Kosovo independence, welcoming the fact that 36 states, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Venezuela are actively engaged in the court process.

The unilaterally declared Kosovo independence is a violent attempt to divide Serbia and an attack at the very core of the principle of international relations defined in the UN Charter, which speak about the respect of territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as the inviolability of internationally recognised borders, Jeremic stressed.

He said Serbia has decided to react in a peaceful manner so that for the first time in the history of the Balkans such an important issue can be solved without the use of arms.

The Minister warned that throughout the world there are several issues similar to the Kosovo issue and if secession becomes an accepted norm these frozen conflicts could flare up and spread and new ones could emerge.

He stressed that in Serbia’s opinion the OAS could play a crucial role in promoting regional stability and peace by upholding democratic values and the principle of consensus for resolving global issues.

Serbia has a history of close and friendly relations with OAS members and this is why we decided to participate in election observation in St Kitts and Nevis later this year and to take part in several OAS programmes, said Jeremic.