Jeremic asks OAS not to recognize Kosovo

In his address to the 39th Regular Session of the Organization of American States, held in Honduras, Jeremic expressed profound thanks to the vast majority of the OAS countries for their principled position on this issue and their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a UN member State, the Republic of Serbia.

"The non-recognition of the independence of Kosovo is the only way to avoid doing any further damage to the legitimacy of the international system, and to the universality of the values we hold in common. Finding a negotiated, mutually-acceptable solution to Kosovo's future status will require compromise, concession and good-will," Jeremic stated.

Jeremic said that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will take about a year to deliberate on whether Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence was in accordance with international law. Jeremic welcomed the fact that the case of Kosovo's attempt at secession has attracted enormous attention from all corners of the world - as the active participation before the Court of thirty-six countries in the proceedings make clear, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Venezuela.

The attempt to forcibly partition Serbia has struck at the very heart of the binding principles of the international system, enumerated in the Charters of the UN and regional organizations such as the OAS - principles like the respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states, and the inviolability of internationally recognized borders," Jeremic set out.

Jeremic recalled that Serbia decided to respond to this attempt at secession peacefully through international engagement.

He added that for the first time in the history of the Balkans, an issue of such fundamental importance and complexity is being resolved without resorting to the force of arms.

According to Jeremic, there are dozens of Kosovo-s throughout the world, hoping for secession to be rendered an acceptable norm.

"Many existing conflicts could escalate, frozen conflicts could reignite, and new ones could be instigated," Jeremic pointed out, adding that "despite the clear obstacles" he is a cautious optimist.

Jeremic said that Serbia views the OAS as "a crucial actor in the promotion of regional peace and security, through a principled support for democratic values, institutions, and consensus-based solutions to the world's problems."

"The Republic of Serbia is in the process of prioritizing the enhancement of our relations with the Western Hemisphere, both bilaterally and through the OAS. That is why we have committed to participating in the OAS-led election observer mission to Saint Kitts and Nevis later this year. It is also why we have decided to participate in a number of other OAS programs, including de-mining," Jeremic concluded.