Fried does disservice to the EU
The statement by US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried on Eulex being a “crucial element” of the “supervised independence” of Kosovo is an evidence of Washington's intent to act in the province ignoring not only the interests Belgrade and Kosovo Serbs but also of its partners in the European Union, a source of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Russia's news agency Itar-Tass on Monday
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Commenting on Fried's statement, the ministry source said that this "was done at the key moment of Belgrade's dialogue with the United Nations and EU on finding legal grounds for Eulex activities in Kosovo and its cooperation with the UN mission."
"Serbs and Europeans are looking for an acceptable formula for such reconfiguration of international presence, where Belgrade insists on a neutral-status character of Eulex and its work 'under the umbrella' of the UN in keeping with UN Security Council Resolution 1244," the unnamed Russian diplomat said.
According to him, Fried's statement "has nothing in common with those justified demands, it shows Washington's disposition to act in Kosovo ignoring not only the interests of Belgrade and the Kosovo Serbs but also the interests of its partners in the EU".
The EU is, however, evidently interested in reaching a compromise with Belgrade, said the source of Itar-Tass, adding that Fried's statement seemed to be "a disservice" to Brussels.
