Russia will support Serbia's draft resolution

Russian Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin said that the resolution will be discussed, "and if we speak about Russia's stand, we should say that we will back the resolution."

The Russian ambassador said that he did not meet with the Kosovo Albanian government foreign minister, Skender Hyseni, who was attending the UN Security Council session dedicated to Kosovo as a private person. "No request for a meeting has arrived from Hyseni," said Churkin.

He also noted that his country will not change its stand on non-recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo and that Moscow urges for a strict observation of UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

"Russia supports the United Nations Mission in Kosovo," said he, pointing out that the security situation in the provinces raises concern.

Speaking about the ICJ's opinion, Russia's representative underscored that the court had focused only on the evaluation of the declaration itself and that it had distanced itself from the interpretation of whether Kosovo is a state and whether recognitions of its independence were proper.

Britain's permanent representative said that "independence of Kosovo-Metohija is a process and that there is no possibility of renewing the talks on the status or borders".

"London supports Kosovo's independence and the ICJ opinion is the end of the debate on Kosovo's status," said the British diplomat.

The permanent representative of the United States of America said that the opinion of the ICJ is a "basis for the future relations of Serbia and Kosovo, and that Kosovo is an independent and multiethnic democracy, whose independence is irreversible," while Washington "expects the ICJ's opinion to encourage the countries that have yet to recognize Kosovo."

Japan's permanent representative said that his country supports the idea of Belgrade and Pristina starting a constructive dialogue, condemning the latest violence in Kosovo.

The ambassador of Brazil called on Belgrade and Priština to overcome their differences and renew talks on outstanding issues as soon as possible.

According to this diplomat, Resolution 1244 remains the framework that determines the conditions of negotiations aimed at reaching a legitimate solution.

Turkish representative welcomed the report by UNMIK Chief Lamberto Zannier, which shows that the situation in Kosovo is relatively peaceful, and called on the UN Mission to take all necessary steps towards establishing reconciliation and full stability in Kosovo.

"The ICJ's opinion will open a new phase in the negotiations between Belgrade and Priština," said Ankara's permanent representative.

The ambassadors of Uganda and Nigeria pointed out the necessity of the participation of both sides in a dialogue, aimed at finding a solution that is acceptable to both sides, and with the participation of all communities living in Kosovo.