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Ivanovic, Laurens discuss CoE activities in Kosovo-Metohija
Belgrade,
10 November 2009
State Secretary at the Serbian Ministry for Kosovo-Metohija Oliver Ivanovic talked today in Belgrade with the Council of Europe's Director General of Democracy and Political Affairs Jean-Louis Laurens.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry for Kosovo-Metohija, the main subjects of discussion were the Council of Europe’s activities in Kosovo-Metohija related to the fulfilment of standards, protection of the rights of non-Albanians, particularly Serb communities and the protection of Serbian religious and cultural heritage.
It was emphasised at the meeting that Serbia supports the activities undertaken by the Council of Europe in Kosovo-Metohija which are being conducted in cooperation with UNMIK, with full respect for Security Council Resolution 1244 and in consultation with the Serbian government.
Special focus was on the upcoming election in Kosovo-Metohija and the issue of Serb participation in this election.
Ivanovic reiterated that the stance of the Serbian President and Prime Minister is that conditions are not present for Serbs to take part in the elections scheduled for November 15.
Serbs who take part in the elections will not be subjected to legal penalties but the legitimacy of their votes will be doubtful, particularly because we are not expecting Serb turnout at the votes to be at all substantial, said the State Secretary.
He noted that by voting at the elections and entering the so-called Kosovo institutions they will not improve the position of Serbs in the province, but also warned that Serbia’s fight for the preservation of sovereignty and territorial integrity would then become more difficult.
It was also stressed that a proper model for implementing the decentralisation process and forming new municipalities must be sought, since that would help Serbs and other non-ethnic Albanians to remain in the province. However, this model does not imply elections called by institutions that unilaterally declared independence.
Until then Serbia will not give up on local institutions formed following the elections of May 11, 2008, Ivanovic concluded.
It was emphasised at the meeting that Serbia supports the activities undertaken by the Council of Europe in Kosovo-Metohija which are being conducted in cooperation with UNMIK, with full respect for Security Council Resolution 1244 and in consultation with the Serbian government.
Special focus was on the upcoming election in Kosovo-Metohija and the issue of Serb participation in this election.
Ivanovic reiterated that the stance of the Serbian President and Prime Minister is that conditions are not present for Serbs to take part in the elections scheduled for November 15.
Serbs who take part in the elections will not be subjected to legal penalties but the legitimacy of their votes will be doubtful, particularly because we are not expecting Serb turnout at the votes to be at all substantial, said the State Secretary.
He noted that by voting at the elections and entering the so-called Kosovo institutions they will not improve the position of Serbs in the province, but also warned that Serbia’s fight for the preservation of sovereignty and territorial integrity would then become more difficult.
It was also stressed that a proper model for implementing the decentralisation process and forming new municipalities must be sought, since that would help Serbs and other non-ethnic Albanians to remain in the province. However, this model does not imply elections called by institutions that unilaterally declared independence.
Until then Serbia will not give up on local institutions formed following the elections of May 11, 2008, Ivanovic concluded.
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