Serbia will never recognize independence of Kosovo
Serbia will never recognize the independence of Kosovo and I said this at all meetings I had in New York, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivan Mrkic stated late Tuesday
(KosovoCompromiseStuff) Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Mrkic told a The news correspondent after a session of the UN Security Council that this stance of Serbia is understandable and that noone will ask the co untry to do that.
Commenting on last night's session, Mrkic said that UNSC member countries have maintained their positions, but, as he put it, their tone was different.
"What is new is that Serbia's policy is recognized now," Mrkic said, adding that the government is trying to protect the people in Kosovo-Metohija in the best possible way.
The foreign minister said that he also pointed to illicit trafficking in human organs and that representatives of all other countries spoke about this, too.
We will never give up on this, since we want criminals to be identified and punished, he stressed.
Mrkic also said that Director of Office for Kosovo Aleksandar Vulin is also in New Work and that he had a number of meetings with representatives of UN member countries and informed them about the sitution on the ground and how Serbs in Kosovo live.
Minister Mrkic said that in his speech before the Security Council he also mentioned the acquittal of Croatian generals Ante Gotovina and Mladen Markac before The Hague Tribunal, pointing that that this news was received with biterrness in Serbia.
Many speakers mentioned this, but some differ in the formal approach and what they are saying behind the scenes, Mrkic said.
Everyone are aware of the fact that injustice has been done and that it hardly be described, Mrkic said, and announced that this issue will be discussed at a UNSC session next week. Minister Mrkic will Wednesday meet with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.
Serbian Foreign Minister Ivan Mrkic said at a meeting of the UN Security Council Tuesday that the government in Belgrade was ready to implement the agreements reached in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue to date, stressing that it was vital EULEX was controlling the crossing points in northern Kosovo.
"We are determined to fully implement the arrangements reached thus far and are open to discussions on all issues, except the dismantling of Serbia's institutions in Kosovo," Mrkic said, stressing that the role of EULEX is particularly important at the moment, and should not be changed.
He said that Belgrade would insist on the implementation of agreed solutions over the integrated border management (IBM) through the presence and executive role of EULEX at the administrative boundary line.
"Its executive role remains crucial, especially as far as the implementation of agreements reached in the dialogue is concerned," said the Serbian foreign minister.
"Achieving the lasting peace in the region assumes finding a comprehensive solution for Kosovo," Mrkic said, adding that "reconciliation between Serbs and Albanians necessitates tough decisions on both sides."
"The Serbian side continues to promote and pursue the policy of finding peaceful solutions in a constructive dialogue with
Pristina," he said.
"The Republic of Serbia sees the dialogue as the only way of overcoming the current crisis and arriving at sustainable solutions for the problems facing the population in Kosovo and Metohija on a daily basis," Mrkic said.
Mrkic pointed out that Serbia's new government had recently entered into the follow-up to the dialogue wishing to make a concrete progress between Belgrade and Pristina, adding that during the last meeting between the Prime Ministers of Serbia,
Ivica Dacic, and of Kosovo, Hasim Taci, held in Brussels on 7 November 2012, Serbia insisted that the executive control powers at the crossing points in northern Kosovo be vested in EULEX.
"Our continuing efforts are aimed at a peaceful resolution of the problems in the region, including the issue of Kosovo and Metohija, as mandated by this Council's resolution 1244," Mrkic said.
Mrkic said Serbia would continue to oppose unilateral actions by any party and, in that respect, would never accept the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo.
"Let me state, once again: we shall not recognize the so called Republic of Kosovo thus proclaimed," he said.
"I would like to express my country's sincere gratitude to the majority of UN Member States that continue to respect Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity," said Mrkic. "We urge them to maintain their principled stance as it is the most important contribution they can make to the ultimate success of the dialogue," he added.
"The role of the United Nations in the stabilization of the situation in the region is irreplaceable," Mrkic said, and stressed that "therefore, the mandate of UNMIK must remain unchanged."
"It is important that UNMIK continues to perform its mandate related to the external representation of Kosovo, unless it has been otherwise agreed within the framework of some regional gatherings," said the Serbian minister.
In addition, he said, the United Nations should ensure that the missions in Kosovo and Metohija operate solely in a status neutral framework, as envisaged in SC resolution 1244.
Mrkic underscored that it was of special significance for Serbia that UAM (UN Administration in Mitrovica) was financed on a regular basis so it could operate. "It is unacceptable to us to additionally limit the responsibilities of UAM as a result of the lack of finances and the takeover of UNMIK's responsibilities by the creation and functioning of a parallel body based in Pristina," he said.
He pointed out that UNMIK was the only legitimate international presence in which people in northern Kosovo still had full confidence.
The Serbian foreign minister observed that despite the long-standing international presence, there was no significant improvement on the ground, especially when it came to the situation concerning Serbs and other non-Albanians, he said.
"The lives and property of Serbs and other non-Albanians continue to be threatened; there are no basic security conditions or freedom of movement and employment; a safe return has not been assured to Serbian refugees and displaced persons to their homes in Kosovo; no major infrastructure facilities have been rebuilt; violence against the Serbian
population and their cultural and religious sites by Albanian separatists continues," he said.
"The human rights situation in Kosovo, especially of Serbs and other non-Albanians, continues to be deplorable," Mrkic said, adding that the observed "relative diminishing of inter-ethnic violence is not a result of improved inter-ethnic relations, but the consequence of growing isolation of the Serbian population, resulting from their retreat into enclaves or isolated villages."
"According to the information available to us, in the period from July - October 2012, more than 70 attacks that could be described as ethnically motivated were carried out. The result is that there are less and less Serbs living in the territory of Kosovo," said the minister.
Mrkic said additional concern, lack of security and disquiet had also been caused by more arrests of members of the Serbian community without any explanation as to the legal grounds for issuing controversial warrants against them.
He pointed the systematic destruction and demolition of houses deserted by the Serbs and other non-Albanians, saying that these "have been continued, with the aim of purposely forcing the remaining Serbian population to leave and preventing returns."
"According to the latest figures for 2012, a mere 285 Serbs returned to Kosovo, testifying to the trend of continued decrease of the number of returns," he said.
"A particular problem is a constant prevention of visits and free movement of the officials of the Republic of Serbia, despite
the fact that they duly, and in accordance with the established procedure, inform EULEX of their visit to Kosovo," Mrkic said, adding that even humanitarian aid was denied entry to Kosovo and Metohija.
Mrkic also pointed out that "attempts to replace and rename the Serbian cultural identity in Kosovo and Metohija to Albanian, Byzantine, Illyrian etc. are continuously taking place, in spite of the relevant recommendations and decisions of UNESCO."
Mrkic said that once again, he would like to emphasize "the importance of full and effective investigation of allegations of killing people for the purpose of organ trafficking contained in the report of Mr. Dick Marty, Rapporteur of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly," as Serbia was "ready to continue its cooperation with the EULEX investigation team, in order to help establish the truth, trace the missing and achieve justice for the victims."
The UN Security Council meeting was dedicated to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's latest report on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo.
Mrkic, who is in New York together with Director of the Serbian government's Office for Kosovo and Metohija Aleksandar Vulin, will meet with Ban Ki-moon.
Commenting on last night's session, Mrkic said that UNSC member countries have maintained their positions, but, as he put it, their tone was different.
"What is new is that Serbia's policy is recognized now," Mrkic said, adding that the government is trying to protect the people in Kosovo-Metohija in the best possible way.
The foreign minister said that he also pointed to illicit trafficking in human organs and that representatives of all other countries spoke about this, too.
We will never give up on this, since we want criminals to be identified and punished, he stressed.
Mrkic also said that Director of Office for Kosovo Aleksandar Vulin is also in New Work and that he had a number of meetings with representatives of UN member countries and informed them about the sitution on the ground and how Serbs in Kosovo live.
Minister Mrkic said that in his speech before the Security Council he also mentioned the acquittal of Croatian generals Ante Gotovina and Mladen Markac before The Hague Tribunal, pointing that that this news was received with biterrness in Serbia.
Many speakers mentioned this, but some differ in the formal approach and what they are saying behind the scenes, Mrkic said.
Everyone are aware of the fact that injustice has been done and that it hardly be described, Mrkic said, and announced that this issue will be discussed at a UNSC session next week. Minister Mrkic will Wednesday meet with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.
Serbian Foreign Minister Ivan Mrkic said at a meeting of the UN Security Council Tuesday that the government in Belgrade was ready to implement the agreements reached in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue to date, stressing that it was vital EULEX was controlling the crossing points in northern Kosovo.
"We are determined to fully implement the arrangements reached thus far and are open to discussions on all issues, except the dismantling of Serbia's institutions in Kosovo," Mrkic said, stressing that the role of EULEX is particularly important at the moment, and should not be changed.
He said that Belgrade would insist on the implementation of agreed solutions over the integrated border management (IBM) through the presence and executive role of EULEX at the administrative boundary line.
"Its executive role remains crucial, especially as far as the implementation of agreements reached in the dialogue is concerned," said the Serbian foreign minister.
"Achieving the lasting peace in the region assumes finding a comprehensive solution for Kosovo," Mrkic said, adding that "reconciliation between Serbs and Albanians necessitates tough decisions on both sides."
"The Serbian side continues to promote and pursue the policy of finding peaceful solutions in a constructive dialogue with
Pristina," he said.
"The Republic of Serbia sees the dialogue as the only way of overcoming the current crisis and arriving at sustainable solutions for the problems facing the population in Kosovo and Metohija on a daily basis," Mrkic said.
Mrkic pointed out that Serbia's new government had recently entered into the follow-up to the dialogue wishing to make a concrete progress between Belgrade and Pristina, adding that during the last meeting between the Prime Ministers of Serbia,
Ivica Dacic, and of Kosovo, Hasim Taci, held in Brussels on 7 November 2012, Serbia insisted that the executive control powers at the crossing points in northern Kosovo be vested in EULEX.
"Our continuing efforts are aimed at a peaceful resolution of the problems in the region, including the issue of Kosovo and Metohija, as mandated by this Council's resolution 1244," Mrkic said.
Mrkic said Serbia would continue to oppose unilateral actions by any party and, in that respect, would never accept the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo.
"Let me state, once again: we shall not recognize the so called Republic of Kosovo thus proclaimed," he said.
"I would like to express my country's sincere gratitude to the majority of UN Member States that continue to respect Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity," said Mrkic. "We urge them to maintain their principled stance as it is the most important contribution they can make to the ultimate success of the dialogue," he added.
"The role of the United Nations in the stabilization of the situation in the region is irreplaceable," Mrkic said, and stressed that "therefore, the mandate of UNMIK must remain unchanged."
"It is important that UNMIK continues to perform its mandate related to the external representation of Kosovo, unless it has been otherwise agreed within the framework of some regional gatherings," said the Serbian minister.
In addition, he said, the United Nations should ensure that the missions in Kosovo and Metohija operate solely in a status neutral framework, as envisaged in SC resolution 1244.
Mrkic underscored that it was of special significance for Serbia that UAM (UN Administration in Mitrovica) was financed on a regular basis so it could operate. "It is unacceptable to us to additionally limit the responsibilities of UAM as a result of the lack of finances and the takeover of UNMIK's responsibilities by the creation and functioning of a parallel body based in Pristina," he said.
He pointed out that UNMIK was the only legitimate international presence in which people in northern Kosovo still had full confidence.
The Serbian foreign minister observed that despite the long-standing international presence, there was no significant improvement on the ground, especially when it came to the situation concerning Serbs and other non-Albanians, he said.
"The lives and property of Serbs and other non-Albanians continue to be threatened; there are no basic security conditions or freedom of movement and employment; a safe return has not been assured to Serbian refugees and displaced persons to their homes in Kosovo; no major infrastructure facilities have been rebuilt; violence against the Serbian
population and their cultural and religious sites by Albanian separatists continues," he said.
"The human rights situation in Kosovo, especially of Serbs and other non-Albanians, continues to be deplorable," Mrkic said, adding that the observed "relative diminishing of inter-ethnic violence is not a result of improved inter-ethnic relations, but the consequence of growing isolation of the Serbian population, resulting from their retreat into enclaves or isolated villages."
"According to the information available to us, in the period from July - October 2012, more than 70 attacks that could be described as ethnically motivated were carried out. The result is that there are less and less Serbs living in the territory of Kosovo," said the minister.
Mrkic said additional concern, lack of security and disquiet had also been caused by more arrests of members of the Serbian community without any explanation as to the legal grounds for issuing controversial warrants against them.
He pointed the systematic destruction and demolition of houses deserted by the Serbs and other non-Albanians, saying that these "have been continued, with the aim of purposely forcing the remaining Serbian population to leave and preventing returns."
"According to the latest figures for 2012, a mere 285 Serbs returned to Kosovo, testifying to the trend of continued decrease of the number of returns," he said.
"A particular problem is a constant prevention of visits and free movement of the officials of the Republic of Serbia, despite
the fact that they duly, and in accordance with the established procedure, inform EULEX of their visit to Kosovo," Mrkic said, adding that even humanitarian aid was denied entry to Kosovo and Metohija.
Mrkic also pointed out that "attempts to replace and rename the Serbian cultural identity in Kosovo and Metohija to Albanian, Byzantine, Illyrian etc. are continuously taking place, in spite of the relevant recommendations and decisions of UNESCO."
Mrkic said that once again, he would like to emphasize "the importance of full and effective investigation of allegations of killing people for the purpose of organ trafficking contained in the report of Mr. Dick Marty, Rapporteur of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly," as Serbia was "ready to continue its cooperation with the EULEX investigation team, in order to help establish the truth, trace the missing and achieve justice for the victims."
The UN Security Council meeting was dedicated to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's latest report on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo.
Mrkic, who is in New York together with Director of the Serbian government's Office for Kosovo and Metohija Aleksandar Vulin, will meet with Ban Ki-moon.
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