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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

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Serbia expects ICJ’s opinion to be in line with international law

Belgrade/The Hague, 22 July 2010

Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic voiced his hope today that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague will not pass an advisory opinion that will approve the secession of Kosovo Albanians and underlined that now it is essential that Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija remain calm and not to be taken in by any sort of provocation.

Author: Fonet

Jeremic said in a statement to Tanjug news agency, in front of the Peace Palace in The Hague, that if the ICJ supported the secession, no border in the world and the region would be safe any more.

We expect the court’s opinion to be in line with international law, which is very clear when it comes to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, Jeremic declared.

He clarified that after the court passes its decision, the Serbian legal team which has arrived in The Hague will make an analysis of the text of the court’s legal opinion.

That will be a very sophisticated and long text and we should not jump to conclusions without first making a thorough analysis, Jeremic stressed.

The Foreign Minister affirmed that this is only one step in the process which is ahead of Serbia.

That process ends in the UN General Assembly which has to confirm the court’s opinion and make a political conclusion on the following steps. Our policy will not change and will remain dedicated to a peaceful, diplomatic and political struggle for the preservation of sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country, Jeremic proclaimed.

He underscored that Serbia will continue to work on its role of the factor of peace and stability in the region. We remain ready for negotiation. I hope this will take place shortly and that it will end in a compromise that will be acceptable to both sides, Jeremic highlighted. He reiterated that it is of crucial importance that Serbian citizens in Kosovo-Metohija are not taken in by provocation because there will be attempts at destabilisation of this region.