Jeremić submits ICJ resolution

The FM has submitted a draft resolution calling on the Gen. Assembly’s support in consulting the ICJ view on Kosovo independence. Upon submitting the draft resolution concerning the legality of Kosovo’s unilateral independence declaration, Vuk Jeremic said that he expected “intense resistance“ to Serbia’s initiative, but that Belgrade was determined to maintain its struggle in spite of the pressure. Jeremic submits ICJ resolution “To be quite honest, I expect intense resistance, I expect a number of countries that support Kosovo independence to strongly oppose it, to lobby against adoption of the resolution in the General Assembly,“ said the minister. “It’s no secret that these countries include some of the most influential states in the world. However, we are absolutely determined to keep pushing our initiative, and that’s why we’ve been talking with the whole world these last few days, we've had a lot of contacts, the government has been exceptionally active both at bilateral and international level,“ he explained. Jeremic reiterated that Serbia had insisted on international legal argumentation since the very beginning of the Kosovo status process. “We quite simply believe that Serbia has the strongest arguments in that field. If we’re successful and if the General Assembly votes to refer that issue to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), then we will be able to transfer the Kosovo issue on to the arena that suits us best, and that arena is international law,” the minister stated. He believes that if the resolution is passed, it will slow the Kosovo recognition process. “If we’re successful in New York in September, I don’t think there will be any more new recognitions, I don’t think Kosovo will then become a member of any serious international organizations,” Jeremic said. “In the long run, once the ICJ gives its ruling, we shouldn’t prejudge the court’s opinion, but we’re sure that it will be that Kosovo declared independence in contravention of international law, an opportunity will appear. An atmosphere will be created for us to return to the negotiating table and talk status,” the minister added. Vuk Jeremic (Tanjug, archive) Jeremic: Hague cooperation priority Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic believes the government is close to completing cooperation with the Hague Tribunal. “The government's priority is to complete cooperation with the Tribunal in The Hague,” Jeremic told a press headquarters at UN headquarters in New York. He said that he hoped that that chapter would soon be closed, and that the remaining Hague fugitives Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadzic would soon be found and extradited to The Hague. The minister said that the government was working very hard to achieve full cooperation wth the Hague. According to Jeremic, the government, through its actions, had proven that it was serious in its intention to honor its international commitments.

Jeremić submits ICJ resolution

“To be quite honest, I expect intense resistance, I expect a number of countries that support Kosovo independence to strongly oppose it, to lobby against adoption of the resolution in the General Assembly,“ said the minister.

“It’s no secret that these countries include some of the most influential states in the world. However, we are absolutely determined to keep pushing our initiative, and that’s why we’ve been talking with the whole world these last few days, we've had a lot of contacts, the government has been exceptionally active both at bilateral and international level,“ he explained.

Jeremić reiterated that Serbia had insisted on international legal argumentation since the very beginning of the Kosovo status process.

“We quite simply believe that Serbia has the strongest arguments in that field. If we’re successful and if the General Assembly votes to refer that issue to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), then we will be able to transfer the Kosovo issue on to the arena that suits us best, and that arena is international law,” the minister stated.

He believes that if the resolution is passed, it will slow the Kosovo recognition process.

“If we’re successful in New York in September, I don’t think there will be any more new recognitions, I don’t think Kosovo will then become a member of any serious international organizations,” Jeremić said.

“In the long run, once the ICJ gives its ruling, we shouldn’t prejudge the court’s opinion, but we’re sure that it will be that Kosovo declared independence in contravention of international law, an opportunity will appear. An atmosphere will be created for us to return to the negotiating table and talk status,” the minister added.

Jeremić: Hague cooperation priority

Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić believes the government is close to completing cooperation with the Hague Tribunal.

“The government's priority is to complete cooperation with the Tribunal in The Hague,” Jeremić told a press headquarters at UN headquarters in New York.

He said that he hoped that that chapter would soon be closed, and that the remaining Hague fugitives Ratko Mladić and Goran Hadžić would soon be found and extradited to The Hague.

The minister said that the government was working very hard to achieve full cooperation wth the Hague.

According to Jeremić, the government, through its actions, had proven that it was serious in its intention to honor its international commitments.