Lavrov: Western draft resolution "unacceptable"

Lavrov: Western draft resolution "unacceptable"

Lavrov, however, stopped short of threatening a veto if the draft goes to a vote in the Security Council, but his remark underlined divisions on the plan, the agency said.

The US and European Union nations circulated a draft resolution earlier this month endorsing supervised independence for Kosovo, in line with the recommendation of a UN envoy.

"The resolution ... is unacceptable to us," Lavrov told a news conference after talks with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov.

Russian officials have emphasized that will not approve an international decision on Kosovo's status unless it is accepted by Serbia.

At the United Nations, the Russian ambassador has said Russia could use its veto, and Moscow has circulated elements for a rival Security Council resolution urging more talks between Kosovo Albanian and Serbian leaders and efforts to protect minorities and facilitate their return to prewar homes in Kosovo.

Meanwhile, Beta reports that the EU UN Security Council members will back the U.S.-German draft resolution on Kosovo with “certain reservations”.

The document that the news agency has had access to does not explicitly mention the word “independence”, nor does it define the province’s status.

However, it also leaves out the provisions guaranteeing Serbian sovereignty over Kosovo.

The proposal is seen as providing the province with a possibility of becoming de facto independent after the 120 days period.

EU sources in Brussels told Beta “one or two” EU member states, which are at the same time UN Security Council members, have requested additional explanation related to the draft resolution’s provision which aim to replace all other UN resolutions passed on Kosovo, including 1244 and those dating back to 1998 and 1999.

UN Resolution 1244 provides for Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over the province.

EU circles believe it is necessary for the draft resolution to define the status issue as well, since the adoption of a new resolution would grant the Kosovo Albanians with “legal freedom” to declare independence, Beta reports from Brussels.