Moscow concerned by EU mission to Kosovo
Russian Foreign Ministry official Mikhail Kaminin said Tuesday that Moscow was seriously concerned by reports of “behind the scenes preparations of Western countries” for an EU mission to Kosovo.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Kaminin said that pressure was even being put "directly on the UN secretary general and the EU Presidency, to organize the deployment of an EU mission to Kosovo without the UN's approval."
The change of character, makeup or operative plan of actions of international civilian presence in Kosovo requires a new decision by the UN Security Council, which is possible only with consent from Belgrade and Pristina, the Moscow authorities warned.
After failure in the UN Security Council, the US and its partners are trying to remove the process of resolving the status of Kosovo outside of the UN. This is met with fierce opposition by Serbia and Russia, but UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has also on several occasions refused to invite a European mission to Kosovo, to replace UNMIK.
"We expect the UN secretary general and our partners to understand the devastating consequences of unilateral scenarios and actions in violation of the UN Charter, and refrain from moves that carry (the creation of) a destructive precedent for the system of international relations," Kaminin said.
He also said that the so-called skeptics within the EU were being convinced to change their mind for the sake of a "quick" recognition of Kosovo, if Pristina declares independence unilaterally, while the KFOR command is making plans to "calm the Serb population in the province, which is openly against Kosovo's independence."
"Such activities cause our serious concern and call for an adequate reaction," Kaminin pointed out.
He stressed that Russia "understands the EU's aim to play a more active part in the matter of Kosovo," but added that this was only possible "with the implementation of certain conditions."
