Koštunica, high Russian diplomat, confirm common stand

Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica met Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov in Belgrade Sunday. Beta news agency reported that they affirmed on "the common principled policy of Serbia and Russia in the process of solving the status of Kosovo, which is based on the UN Charter." Kostunica, high Russian diplomat, confirm common stand The two countries' policy is based on the inviolability of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of internationally recognized countries, a statement from the government saud. Titov said that Russia would "accept only an agreed-upon solution and was opposed to any solution that is imposed." He stressed that "if a particular solution is not acceptable to Serbia, then it will not be acceptable to Russia either," it is added in the announcement. The two high officials assessed that "Resolution 1244 of the UN Security Council represents the basis for finding a compromise solution" for the future arrangement of Kosovo and that only the UN Security Council has a mandate to bring a decision on the future status of the province. Kostunica, the statement added, underlined that in the continued negotiating process "one must begin from the principles defined in Resolution 1244, and most of all from the provisions of this resolution in which all U.N. member states explicitly affirm their devotion to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Republic of Srpska and simultaneously affirm the demand to secure a wide and essential autonomy for the province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia." Serbia and Russia "are constructively engaged in the negotiating process and that they are firmly determined to finding a compromise solution in accordance with international law and Resolution 1244," the statement concluded. Earlier yesterday, Titov also met with Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic. Serbia favors “a mutually acceptable compromise” in the definition of the Kosovo status, which would guarantee lasting peace and stability in the region, Jeremic said after the meeting. The Russian diplomat said that “Moscow supports a solution based on fundamental principles of the international law, which will not breach the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia.” As for direct negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina, which continue today in Vienna, Titov told Itar-Tass news agency, “We think that the Troika should promote negotiations aimed at a compromise rather than offer a formula, which may be thrust upon the sides." "It is very good that the sides are holding direct negotiations. We think there is no deadline, although the Troika is bound to make a report to the UN Secretary General on December 10 and then give information to the UN Security Council.” A report by the UN Secretary General “will simply give an account of facts. He will not assess chances for further negotiations,” Titov said. “It is necessary to discuss the issue and make a decision about further steps of the UN Security Council,” the diplomat noted. “To our mind, there are certain positive and inspiring signals from the negotiating parties. We can say that the negotiating formula is very useful, and we hope to achieve certain results by December 10." "These results will be developed later on. I think the understanding of the fact that the Kosovo settlement should be treated rationally and with great responsibility will strengthen.” Itar-Tass asked Titov about the Russian Foreign Ministry attitude to the idea of certain members of the international community that a world conference on Kosovo should be held. “No one has put forward this idea officially, and I have not heard about serious debates to that effect. We think that the Kosovo settlement issue will remain an item on the agenda of the UN Security Council and the existent negotiating formats, first and foremost, the Contact Group, after December 10,” Titov said.

Koštunica, high Russian diplomat, confirm common stand

The two countries' policy is based on the inviolability of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of internationally recognized countries, a statement from the government saud.

Titov said that Russia would "accept only an agreed-upon solution and was opposed to any solution that is imposed."

He stressed that "if a particular solution is not acceptable to Serbia, then it will not be acceptable to Russia either," it is added in the announcement.

The two high officials assessed that "Resolution 1244 of the UN Security Council represents the basis for finding a compromise solution" for the future arrangement of Kosovo and that only the UN Security Council has a mandate to bring a decision on the future status of the province.

Koštunica, the statement added, underlined that in the continued negotiating process "one must begin from the principles defined in Resolution 1244, and most of all from the provisions of this resolution in which all U.N. member states explicitly affirm their devotion to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Republic of Srpska and simultaneously affirm the demand to secure a wide and essential autonomy for the province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia."

Serbia and Russia "are constructively engaged in the negotiating process and that they are firmly determined to finding a compromise solution in accordance with international law and Resolution 1244," the statement concluded.

Earlier yesterday, Titov also met with Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić.

Serbia favors “a mutually acceptable compromise” in the definition of the Kosovo status, which would guarantee lasting peace and stability in the region, Jeremić said after the meeting.

The Russian diplomat said that “Moscow supports a solution based on fundamental principles of the international law, which will not breach the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia.”

As for direct negotiations between Belgrade and Priština, which continue today in Vienna, Titov told Itar-Tass news agency, “We think that the Troika should promote negotiations aimed at a compromise rather than offer a formula, which may be thrust upon the sides."

"It is very good that the sides are holding direct negotiations. We think there is no deadline, although the Troika is bound to make a report to the UN Secretary General on December 10 and then give information to the UN Security Council.”

A report by the UN Secretary General “will simply give an account of facts. He will not assess chances for further negotiations,” Titov said.

“It is necessary to discuss the issue and make a decision about further steps of the UN Security Council,” the diplomat noted.

“To our mind, there are certain positive and inspiring signals from the negotiating parties. We can say that the negotiating formula is very useful, and we hope to achieve certain results by December 10."

"These results will be developed later on. I think the understanding of the fact that the Kosovo settlement should be treated rationally and with great responsibility will strengthen.”

Itar-Tass asked Titov about the Russian Foreign Ministry attitude to the idea of certain members of the international community that a world conference on Kosovo should be held.

“No one has put forward this idea officially, and I have not heard about serious debates to that effect. We think that the Kosovo settlement issue will remain an item on the agenda of the UN Security Council and the existent negotiating formats, first and foremost, the Contact Group, after December 10,” Titov said.