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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

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Serbia’s resolution on Kosovo-Metohija formulated to encourage talks

Belgrade, 26 August 2010

Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Bozidar Djelic stated that the resolution on Kosovo-Metohija, which Serbia has presented before the UN General Assembly, has been formulated to encourage talks that could finally lead to a solution to the Kosovo-Metohija issue.

In an interview with Vecernje Novosti, Djelic stressed that Serbia is aware of the fact that after a debate in the UN, regardless of the result of voting, not a single important actor in global politics will change its position on the issue of Kosovo-Metohija overnight.

Belgrade is considering the various possible results of the debate at the UN and further consequences. It is also making efforts to ensure that the resolution gets the support of the majority, he underlined.

There is no consensus within the EU regarding the Kosovo-Metohija issue, therefore Brussels cannot make Serbia choose between Kosovo-Metohija and the EU, remarked Djelic, adding that a considerable number of influential countries, which are important for global economic growth, support Serbia’s stance.

It is clear to all that the Kosovo-Metohija issue must be resolved so that the region may be integrated into Europe without problems, explained Djelic. He expressed his conviction that it will become increasingly more apparent to Brussels and Washington that a compromise between Belgrade and Pristina is a must.

Serbia is ready to work with all partners, particularly with the EU in order to secure as much support as possible for the resolution, he observed.

The visit by German Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle to the region will not perhaps be crucial to developments at the UN General Assembly but it is of great significance for Serbia, Djelic pointed out.

Besides the Kosovo-Metohija issue and European integration, talks with Westerwelle will also focus on economic relations with Germany, which are very important for Serbia, he specified.

Germany’s position on the Kosovo-Metohija issue is clear, but Serbia is ready to work with all partners, especially with the EU, in order to gain support for its resolution, he noted.

Changes to the text of the resolution which would alter its meaning are not acceptable for Serbia. These alterations would indirectly change Serbia’s national policy on Kosovo-Metohija. It would certainly be better for Serbia that its resolution wins a convincing majority in the UN and the support of all EU countries, elaborated Djelic.

A small number of EU countries have decided to use Serbia’s EU accession process as an element to put pressure prior to and during the debate at the UN General Assembly, Djelic asserted.

This approach is not productive. It will not accelerate Serbia’s European integration process. It cannot force Serbia to abandon Kosovo-Metohija or force it to treat its national interests as objects of trade, he emphasised.

Serbia could take its next step in the EU accession process in December. It is most probable that the question of Serbia’s candidacy will be discussed then, Djelic stated. Responding to the question as to whether Serbia will withdraw its resolution for the sake of accelerating its European integration process, Djelic commented that this option is not under consideration.