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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

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Unilateral measures altering situation in north Kosovo not acceptable

Belgrade/Washington, 5 August 2011

Minister of Defence Dragan Sutanovac met with US Assistant Secretary of Defence for International Security Affairs Alexander Vershbow and stressed that unilateral violent measures altering the situation in northern Kosovo-Metohija are not acceptable.

Alexander Vershbow, left, and Dragan Sutanovac

Sutanovac, who is on a several-day working visit to the United States, briefed Vershbow about Serbia’s stances on the current situation in the province following unilateral moves by the special units of the Kosovo Police Service.

The Minister reiterated that Serbia will continue its cooperation with KFOR in the field, adding that this situation shows why Serbia is opposed to a reduction in the number of KFOR troops.

Vershbow agreed that a solution to the Kosovo crisis should be sought by diplomatic and peaceful means, and endorsed the efforts of Serbian state officials to resolve the crisis by resuming dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

He also supported Serbia’s defence reforms, noting the importance of an increased number of Serbian soldiers in multinational operations under UN auspices and the beginning of their engagement in EU missions.

Vershbow also commended Serbia’s efforts to conclude cooperation with the Hague tribunal.

During his visit to the United States, Sutanovac also met with head of the US National Guard Bureau General Craig McKinley and Commander of the Ohio National Guard General Deborah Ashenhurst.

The Minister acquainted his collocutors with the current political and security situation in Kosovo-Metohija, stressing the importance of pacifying heated scenarios, reaching an interim agreement and reopening dialogue.

Unilateral moves are not in the interest of any side, or in the interest of peace in the region, he underlined.

McKinley said that the Serbian side did the right thing when it resorted to peaceful and diplomatic means because this is the only way to come to the right solution.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral cooperation between Serbia and the United States and ways to further improve it, as well as a continuation of the good cooperation with the Ohio National Guard.

Sutanovac also talked with Ohio congressman Michael Turner, who said that it is important to continue strengthening the cooperation between Serbia and the United States.

He noted that the two states should return to their traditional partnership, proof of which is 130 years of diplomatic relations that will be marked this year, reads a statement by the Serbian Ministry of Defence.