Belgrade urges UN SC to ensure the independence of ICJ
Serbia has urged the UN Security Council members to ensure that the judges of the International Court of Justice do not face political pressures on the issue of legality of Kosovo's unilateral secession.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Friday, October 16, 2009
At Thursday's SC session on Kosovo, Jeremic thanked the majority of UN members, who respect Serbia's territorial integrity and sovereignty and have not recognized Kosovo's unilaterally declared independence.
"The solidarity we are getting from around the planet encourages us to remain steadfast in our efforts to find a solution for Kosovo's future status in a peaceful way, which will be acceptable for all sides," Jeremic said.
"Our fundamental stance on the future status of our province remains the same. Serbia will never recognize the unilateral declaration of Kosovo independence. That's our political, moral and legal obligation. That is our democratic duty, because our nation is united around this fundamental issue," he said.
The minister said that the Kosovo case was an important test for the international community, because a choice must be made between unilateralism and consensus.
"A unilateral declaration of independence is a challenge which we must overcome together, for the good of peace and stability, and in the name of international law," he said.
Jeremic called on UN member-states to refrain from imposing any pressure on the debate on the legality of Kosovo's unilateral independence-scheduled to begin before the International Court of Justice in December-discouraging any new recognitions of Kosovo's independence before that time.
Russia's ambassador to the UN Vitaliy Churkin said Moscow believes that calls of Albanian authorities in Kosovo to end UN presence in the region are dangerous and inadmissible.
"No one has the right to obstruct the implementation of the UNMIK duties, including tasks of assisting in provision of the democratic standards in the region set by the international society," Churkin said at the meeting.
He added that Moscow considers it inadmissible to reduce further the UNMIK presence in Kosovo.
On the other side, the US ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo stressed that Pristina "should be allowed to carry out a more independent role in the international community".
Skender Hyseni, of Kosovo, said that, Pristina had intensified to fight crime and corruption and that the well-being of minority communities and return of internally displaced persons was a standing priority of his government.
