Belgrade wants Pristina represented "asymmetrically" in Sarajevo
Serbian MFA Political Director Borko Stefanovic said that Belgrade will take part in the gathering planned for June in Sarajevo if its organizers ensure "asymmetric elements for the Kosovo Albanian delegation", along with observance of UNSCR 1244. Spanish Ambassador in Belgrade Inigo de Palacio Espana has stated that it is in everybody's interest that representatives of all countries and actors in the region are present at the conference EU-West Balkan.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Friday, April 30, 2010
Belgrade expects this to happen, Stefanovic said, adding that such outcome would be possible if the so-called Gymnich format were used for the conference.
Visiting Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said in Pristina late on Wednesday that both parties had agreed to go to Sarajevo under that formula - which would mean no state names or symbols on display.
"A delegation of the interim authorities of Kosovo, if it goes to Sarajevo, and we hope they will, will be asymmetrical by the very fact they will be escorted by the UNMIK chief, who would speak before the delegation of the interim institutions," said Stefanovic.
An "added element of asymmetry", according to him, would be provided with the presence of representatives of other international organizations, that would "additionally stress the fact that not only representatives of states were seated at the table".
"At this point, it is not certain that a delegation of the interim organs in Pristina will go to Sarajevo, but we are encouraged by the first signals, and by the confirmation of Resolution 1244 and guarantees of asymmetric presence of the delegation from Kosovo," the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs official was quoted as saying.
"Our position is that Kosovo cannot participate anywhere without UNMIK, since that would violate Resolution 1244," stated Stefanovic.
Unlike the recent conference in Slovenia which Belgrade did not attend, this one will ensure asymmetric participation of Pristina, he concluded.
Meanwhile in Pristina, Kosovo Albanian president's spokesman Dzavit Beciri said that "Kosovo will accept to participate in the summit if all countries are represented on an equal footing".
Spanish Ambassador in Belgrade Inigo de Palacio Espana has stated that it is in everybody's interest that representatives of all countries and actors in the region are present at the conference EU-West Balkan in Sarajevo, on June 2.
He assessed that Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini had played an important role in supporting that initiative.
UNMIK Spokesperson Russell Geekie has stated that this mission would also like to see all sides taking part in the conference in Sarajevo, but did not wish to comment on the possibility of them being presented according to the "Gimnich" formula.
