Jeremic: Kosovo compromise is possible

Jeremic said at an informal ministerial OSCE meeting in Kazakhstan held last week that Serbia is ready to be creative, because he is convinced that a fair and balanced compromise for Kosovo's final status can be found.

Jeremic reminded that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) would give its opinion on the legality of Kosovo's unilaterally proclaimed independence on July 22, and submit a report to the UN General Assembly in September.

Jeremic said that it us reasonable to believe that the need to preserve the basic norms of international law will lead to a result that will encourage all sides involved to lead negotiations in order to find a solution that is acceptable for everyone.

He said that the Kosovo secession is a direct challenge to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia, as a member of the OSCE.

It is a threat to the joint security architecture, Jeremic warned, and to the principle of consensus, which is one of the main principles of the OSCE since its founding.

"Serbia wants to solve this problem. Since the start of this difficult crisis, we have accepted the approach which is completely in accordance with the founding principles of the OSCE," he said.

He said that an all-encompassing agreement on Kosovo could create a historic, sustainable progress which everyone would benefit from.

Jeremic said that such a solution would also contribute to improving relations between Serbs and Albanians.

He also said that supporting unilateral moves would only be a step backwards, because temporary and partial solution always result from such actions and lead to an incomplete solution in the region.

"I do not think that anyone wants that. I believe that we are all dedicated to solving the problem, through dialogue, which will result in a consensus," he said.

"That is why I hope that everyone will support, in the end, the best chance that this generation will ever have to implement a lasting peace in the Balkans."

Jeremic also said that a UN Security Council meeting dedicated to Kosovo would be held in August, which is when Russia would begin presiding over the council.
"All eyes are focused on The Hague. According to what is coming back to us, we have reasons to be optimistic," Jeremic said.

He said that Serbia must be aware of the fact that an eventual victory before the International Court of Justice would only be one step on the road to preserving Kosovo.

"There is no turning back and there is no letting down," Jeremic said, adding that five member-states of the EU that have not recognized Kosovo's independence would stand firm on that stance even after the ICJ gives its opinion on the legality of Kosovo's independence proclamation, which is expected on July 22.

"Russia will not recognize Kosovo either, and we have close cooperation with Russia and all international organizations," Jeremic said.