Jeremić seeks OAS support over Kosovo

Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic yesterday in Colombia addressed participants of a meeting of the Organization of American States (OAS). "As far as Kosovo is concerned, Serbia will continue to make full use of the diplomatic, political and legal arsenal, and we intend to put a resolution before the UN General Assembly in September that would ask the International Court of Justice for an advisory opinion on the legality of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence," Jeremic told the meeting. Jeremic seeks OAS support over Kosovo He called on the OAS members to maintain their reserved position on the Kosovo issue while the International Court of Justice deliberated on that crucial question. "We are aware that you have been given advice to recognize Kosovo - and in the name of the Republic of Serbia, I wish to profoundly thank the vast majority of you for your principled position not to do so," said Jeremic. The foreign minister urged the OAS member-states to maintain this stance, since "this is the only way to avoid doing any further damage to the legitimacy of the international system and the universality of the values we hold in common." "And this is the only way to re-open the window of opportunity behind which stands the prospect of a negotiated, compromise solution to the future status of Kosovo acceptable to all the stakeholders," Jeremic said. He underlined that such a solution "is the key to securing the full integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union - a goal shared by all in the region." The illegal attempt of Kosovo's secession has struck at the very heart of the binding principles of the international system enumerated in the UN Charter and regional organizations including the OAS, principles such as the respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states, and the inviolability of internationally recognized borders, said Jeremic. "As a result, a precedent with global reach is being established - one that legitimizes the forced partition of any member-state of the United Nations," Jeremic underlined and added that such a precedent also legalized unilaterally imposed solutions to ethnic conflicts. "It legitimizes the act of unilateral secession by sub-state actor. It transforms the right to self-determination into an avowed right to independence. And it violates the commitment to the peaceful and consensual resolution of disputes in Europe," the foreign minister said. "As an observer country, the Republic of Serbia has consistently held the view that this Organization plays a crucial role in the promotion of regional peace and security through a principled defense and promotion of democratic values and institutions, human and minority rights, social justice, environmental protection, gender equality and sustainable development," Jeremic concluded. Of the 35 OAS member-states, only the United States, Canada, Peru and Costa Rica have recognized the Feb. 17 act by the Kosovo Albanians. Serbia considers the secession and its recognitions illegal.

Jeremić seeks OAS support over Kosovo

He called on the OAS members to maintain their reserved position on the Kosovo issue while the International Court of Justice deliberated on that crucial question.

"We are aware that you have been given advice to recognize Kosovo - and in the name of the Republic of Serbia, I wish to profoundly thank the vast majority of you for your principled position not to do so," said Jeremić.

The foreign minister urged the OAS member-states to maintain this stance, since "this is the only way to avoid doing any further damage to the legitimacy of the international system and the universality of the values we hold in common."

"And this is the only way to re-open the window of opportunity behind which stands the prospect of a negotiated, compromise solution to the future status of Kosovo acceptable to all the stakeholders," Jeremić said.

He underlined that such a solution "is the key to securing the full integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union - a goal shared by all in the region."

The illegal attempt of Kosovo's secession has struck at the very heart of the binding principles of the international system enumerated in the UN Charter and regional organizations including the OAS, principles such as the respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states, and the inviolability of internationally recognized borders, said Jeremić.

"As a result, a precedent with global reach is being established - one that legitimizes the forced partition of any member-state of the United Nations," Jeremić underlined and added that such a precedent also legalized unilaterally imposed solutions to ethnic conflicts.

"It legitimizes the act of unilateral secession by sub-state actor. It transforms the right to self-determination into an avowed right to independence. And it violates the commitment to the peaceful and consensual resolution of disputes in Europe," the foreign minister said.

"As an observer country, the Republic of Serbia has consistently held the view that this Organization plays a crucial role in the promotion of regional peace and security through a principled defense and promotion of democratic values and institutions, human and minority rights, social justice, environmental protection, gender equality and sustainable development," Jeremić concluded.

Of the 35 OAS member-states, only the United States, Canada, Peru and Costa Rica have recognized the Feb. 17 act by the Kosovo Albanians. Serbia considers the secession and its recognitions illegal.