Putin to push for more Kosovo talks

Putin to push for more Kosovo talks

“Our aim is act in the UN Security Council in a way that will utilize the chance that still exists to renew negotiations between Belgrade and Priština, on a balanced basis, seeking a compromise over the province’s status that would have a chance to pass the Security Council, without creating negative precedents all around the globe,” Putin’s foreign policy advisor Sergei Prikhodko said Friday.

He said Moscow could not accept a situation where one country is being punished for the sins of a previous regime, dismembering its territory against its will.

However, Prihodko declined to comment on whether Russia would use its veto power in case it disagrees with a future Kosovo resolution text.

Earlier Friday, it was reported that Moscow rejected the newest Kosovo draft resolution  presented by the U.S., UK and France.

The draft was submitted to the United Nations Security Council Thursday, though there is no set date for a vote on the proposal. 

The new draft explicitly states that Kosovo is a special case due to “its history,” and that the Security Council will not be able to treat it as a precedent.

Russia, despite this chage to the text, rejected this draft as well, said a source close to the Security Council.

Moscow is still strongly against the “automatic” offering of independence to Kosovo after 120 days of discussions.

No further discussion of the Kosovo situation is expected to take place in the coming days.

At the same time, China's presidency over the Security Council, starting on July 1, is also thought to potentially have an effect on further developments regarding the Kosovo status settlement.

Indonesia proposes solution to Kosovo row

Indonesia has suggested that Kosovo be treated the same way as other ex-Yugoslavian territories in terms of independence and European Union (EU) membership,

Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda has said both the EU and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) should not rush into making a decision on Kosovo's independence, reported English daily The Jakarta Post.

Instead, a time line for independence should be set to reduce sovereignty complications, in accordance with plans to grant EU membership to ex-Yugoslavian countries, including Serbia.

"Therefore, Serbia, Kosovo and other ex-Yugoslavian countries would all be under the EU umbrella," the minister said in a hearing with legislators earlier this week.

"Instead of punishing Serbia for rejecting Kosovo's independence by prolonging the time it takes for the nation to be granted EU membership, the grouping could provide an incentive to Serbia by promising a membership."

Hassan said he agreed in part with the EU's argument Kosovo should be viewed as a special case. The EU has argued that Kosovo's independence would be a continuation of independence granted to other ex-Yugoslavian states and therefore could not be used as a precedent by other separatist movements demanding independence.

However, he said it was "difficult for Indonesia to accept the disintegration of a sovereign state, with state sovereignty protected under the UN Charter."

"If the UN Security Council declares a part of a sovereign state an independent entity, it will set a dangerous precedent for developing countries facing separatism threats," he said.

Indonesia, non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, is currently grappling with separatist movements in Aceh and Papua. It granted independence to Timor Leste in 1999.