Q:
A:
Decentralisation leads to a multiethnic Kosovo
Belgrade/New York,
29 November 2004
Head of the Coordinating Centre for Kosovo-Metohija Nebojsa Covic said today in New York that the Serbian government firmly believes that decentralisation of powers in Kosovo-Metohija is the best path toward securing revival, security and return of Serbs and other non-Albanians in the province.
Covic addressed the UN Security Council by saying that fundamental rights of Serbs and other non-Albanians are violated in Kosovo, stressing that only institutionalisation of the Serb community can guarantee survival of a multiethnic Kosovo-Metohija.
“If Serbs decided autonomously on their vital interests, their participation in all other institutions of administration would be much easier and certain,” Covic said.
He said that decentralisation is not a local issue, adding that participation of official Belgrade in these talks is the best guarantee for success, “which we see as a harmonised solution of the two existing plans,” one drafted by the Serbian government and another by UNMIK.
Covic pointed out that recommendations of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the Security Council about the Kosovo-Metohija issue, when he called on respect of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and said that no status of Kosovo may be discussed before given standards are reached, “rouses hope, but the situation in the field is quite different”.
Covic warned that reducing the Serbian authorities’ role only to one of an advisor, or even a spectator, “is not a constructive approach”. He went on to say that official Belgrade has shown sincere support to the idea of establishing a multiethnic society in Kosovo-Metohija as well as readiness to cooperate with the international community and interim administration in the province.
“Anything that is decided without the active participation of Belgrade will not be sustainable, as the problem of security and stability in the region can be swept under the rug only for a short time,” Covic said.
“If Serbs decided autonomously on their vital interests, their participation in all other institutions of administration would be much easier and certain,” Covic said.
He said that decentralisation is not a local issue, adding that participation of official Belgrade in these talks is the best guarantee for success, “which we see as a harmonised solution of the two existing plans,” one drafted by the Serbian government and another by UNMIK.
Covic pointed out that recommendations of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the Security Council about the Kosovo-Metohija issue, when he called on respect of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and said that no status of Kosovo may be discussed before given standards are reached, “rouses hope, but the situation in the field is quite different”.
Covic warned that reducing the Serbian authorities’ role only to one of an advisor, or even a spectator, “is not a constructive approach”. He went on to say that official Belgrade has shown sincere support to the idea of establishing a multiethnic society in Kosovo-Metohija as well as readiness to cooperate with the international community and interim administration in the province.
“Anything that is decided without the active participation of Belgrade will not be sustainable, as the problem of security and stability in the region can be swept under the rug only for a short time,” Covic said.
-
Belgrade, 31 July 2025Continued draconian punishment of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija without evidence, witnesses
-
Belgrade, 25 July 2025Arrest of Igor Popović jeopardising Brussels negotiation process
-
Belgrade, 23 July 2025Death of harvesters in Staro Gracko must not be forgotten
-
Belgrade, 18 July 2025Daily exposure of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija to Priština’s terror
-
Belgrade, 11 July 2025Aid to families in Kosovo and Metohija who suffered damage from fires
-
Belgrade, 10 July 2025Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija existentially threatened, disenfranchised
-
Belgrade, 19 June 2025Priština once again gravely violates basic human rights of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija
-
Belgrade, 13 June 2025Constant violent acts of Priština against Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija
-
Belgrade/Brussels, 10 June 2025Formation of Community of Serb Municipalities, de-escalation of situation in north of Kosovo and Metohija a priority
