Lavrov: Russia supports Resolution 1244

Lavrov: Russia supports Resolution 1244

“We completely support Belgrade’s stance on the necessity to fully apply the UN Resolution 1244, which has so far not been implemented at all,” Lavrov told a news conference.

“Before the UN Security Council starts deliberating any aspect of the Kosovo problem solution, it will be very important for the Council members to witness the situation in the province for themselves. That is why we proposed to send a fact-finding mission to Kosovo,” Lavrov said.

“Russia’s position is that the mission should visit the [Serb] enclaves in Kosovo, verify the implementation of the UN Resolution 1244, and then open a discussion on the subject in the Security Council.”

“I would also like to emphasize that any imposed solution is absolutely unacceptable,” Lavrov said, and added his country believed Kosovo status talks need to be continued.

"The justification of Kosovo independence with possible outbreaks of violence is blackmail," Itar-Tass reported Lavrov as saying.

"KFOR units have been in the autonomy since 1999; they have enough strength and means to prevent violence. If they cannot resolve it, it will be their problem, their guilt," Lavrov said.

Ahead of his two-day visit to Belgrade Lavrov told journalists in Madrid Russia’s position on Kosovo’s future was still different from that of Washington.

“We need to reach a legitimate solution. This is not the first time the U.S. have their own way of looking at this issue,” Lavrov said.

Lavrovs'  talks in Belgrade come one day after Chinese vice premier Hui Liangyu and Austria’s foreign minister Ursula Plassnik expressed opposing views in regards to possible ways of solving Kosovo’s future status. He is scheduled to meet prime minister Vojislav Koštunica laters Thursday.

Russia stressed several times in the past only a Kosovo solution acceptable both to Belgrade and Priština will be supported by Russia.

Russian UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin said a UN resolution that does not take into account Serbia’s position will not be backed by his country.

“Veto is a big word and until we are ordered to use it, we will not say it… However, there should be no doubt that the Russian position on this issue is very firm,” Churkin told journalists in New York Wednesday.