Belgrade asks OAS support for resolution on Kosovo
Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic called on the Organization of American States (OAS) to support its intention to place a resolution before the UN General Assembly in September that would ask the International Court of Justice for an advisory opinion on the legality of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Monday, June 02, 2008
Jeremic called on the members of the OAS member states to maintain their reservation on the Kosovo issue while the International Court of Justice deliberated on that crucial question.
"We are aware that you have been given advice to recognise Kosovo - and in the name of the Republic of Serbia, I wish to profoundly thank the vast majority of you for your principled position not to do so," said Jeremic.
The Serbian foreign minister urged the OAS member-states to remain reserved, since "this is the only way to avoid doing any further damage to the legitimacy of the international system and the universality of the values we hold in common."
"And this is the only way to re-open the window of opportunity behind which stands the prospect of a negotiated, compromise solution to the future status of Kosovo acceptable to all the stakeholders," Jeremic said.
"The illegal attempt of Kosovo's secession has struck at the very heart of the binding principles of the international system enumerated in the UN Charter and regional organisations including the OAS, principles such as the respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states, and the inviolability of internationally recognised borders, said Jeremic.
"As a result, a precedent with global reach is being established - one that legitimises the forced partition of any member-state of the United Nations," Jeremic underlined and added that such a precedent also legimised unilaterally imposing solutions to ethnic conflicts.
"It legitimises the act of unilateral secession by sub-state actor. It transforms the right to self-determination into an avowed right to independence. And it violates the commitment to the peaceful and consensual resolution of disputes in Europe," the Serbian foreign minister said.
Of the 35 OAS member-states, only the United States, Canada, Peru and Costa Rica have recognised the February 17 unlawful act of the Albanian temporary institutions of self-government in the southern Serbian province.
"As an observer country, the Republic of Serbia has consistently held the view that this Organisation plays a crucial role in the promotion of regional peace and security through a principled defence and promotion of democratic values and institutions, human and minority rights, social justice, environmental protection, gender equality and sustainable development," Serbian Foreign Minister Jeremic said.
