FM: Kosovo compromise is possible

Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said that he believes that a solution of compromise could be found for Kosovo that would be satisfactory for everyone involved. He said at an informal ministerial OSCE meeting in Kazakhstan that Serbia is ready to be creative, because he is convinced that a fair and balanced compromise for Kosovo’s final status can be found. FM: Kosovo compromise is possible Jeremic reminded that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) would give its opinion on the legality of Kosovo’s unilaterally proclaimed independence on July 22, and submit a report to the UN General Assembly in September. Jeremic said that it us reasonable to believe that the need to preserve the basic norms of international law will lead to a result that will encourage all sides involved to lead negotiations in order to find a solution that is acceptable for everyone. He said that the Kosovo secession is a direct challenge to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia, as a member of the OSCE. It is a threat to the joint security architecture, Jeremic warned, and to the principle of consensus, which is one of the main principles of the OSCE since its founding. “Serbia wants to solve this problem. Since the start of this difficult crisis, we have accepted the approach which is completely in accordance with the founding principles of the OSCE,” he said. Despite the differences that exist regarding the question of Kosovo’s unilaterally proclaimed independence, Belgrade is working on solving the problem peacefully and legally through diplomacy, he said. “If we succeed, the consensus between the member-states will be restored, which would contribute to building trust in this time of rebirth for OSCE, and encourage constructive approaches to all remaining global challenges that the organization is facing,” Jeremic said. He said that an all-encompassing agreement on Kosovo could create a historic, sustainable progress which everyone would benefit from. Jeremic said that such a solution would also contribute to improving relations between Serbs and Albanians. He also said that supporting unilateral moves would only be a step backwards, because temporary and partial solution always result from such actions and lead to an incomplete solution in the region. “I do not think that anyone wants that. I believe that we are all dedicated to solving the problem, through dialogue, which will result in a consensus,” he said. ”That is why I hope that everyone will support, in the end, the best chance that this generation will ever have to implement a lasting peace in the Balkans." Jeremic said that the Serbian government is dedicated to peace and reconciliation in the region and is working on arresting all indicted war criminals. He said that Belgrade is dedicated to improving regional cooperation, stating that Serbia has never had better relations with Albania, Croatia and Montenegro, adding that its policies supporting a unified Bosnia have also contributed to the democratic stability of that country. He reminded that the Serbian parliament adopted the declaration condemning the Srebrenica crimes, which is an act without precedence in the Balkans and Europe, adding that Serbian President Boris Tadic also attended the 15-year commemoration of the Srebrenica crimes and gave his condolences to the families of all victims, which he did at the ten-year commemoration as well. Vuk Jeremic at an informal ministerial meeting of the OSCE (Tanjug) Jeremic meets with EU senior official Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic met in Kazakhstan with EU Foreign and Security Policies Chief Catherine Ashton. They met on the margins of the informal ministerial meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Jeremic participated in a working dinner at which he met with EU officials to discuss the greatest challenges of Euro-Atlantic and Euro-Asiatic security. Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev opened the informal ministerial meeting on Saturday. Kazakhstan is currently presiding over the OSCE. During his stay in Almaty, Jeremic is expected to meet with a number of other foreign ministers participating in the meeting. Catherine Ashton and Vuk Jeremic in Almaty (FoNet)

FM: Kosovo compromise is possible

Jeremić reminded that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) would give its opinion on the legality of Kosovo’s unilaterally proclaimed independence on July 22, and submit a report to the UN General Assembly in September.

Jeremić said that it us reasonable to believe that the need to preserve the basic norms of international law will lead to a result that will encourage all sides involved to lead negotiations in order to find a solution that is acceptable for everyone.

He said that the Kosovo secession is a direct challenge to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia, as a member of the OSCE.

It is a threat to the joint security architecture, Jeremić warned, and to the principle of consensus, which is one of the main principles of the OSCE since its founding.

“Serbia wants to solve this problem. Since the start of this difficult crisis, we have accepted the approach which is completely in accordance with the founding principles of the OSCE,” he said.

Despite the differences that exist regarding the question of Kosovo’s unilaterally proclaimed independence, Belgrade is working on solving the problem peacefully and legally through diplomacy, he said.

“If we succeed, the consensus between the member-states will be restored, which would contribute to building trust in this time of rebirth for OSCE, and encourage constructive approaches to all remaining global challenges that the organization is facing,” Jeremić said.

He said that an all-encompassing agreement on Kosovo could create a historic, sustainable progress which everyone would benefit from.

Jeremić said that such a solution would also contribute to improving relations between Serbs and Albanians.

He also said that supporting unilateral moves would only be a step backwards, because temporary and partial solution always result from such actions and lead to an incomplete solution in the region.

“I do not think that anyone wants that. I believe that we are all dedicated to solving the problem, through dialogue, which will result in a consensus,” he said.

”That is why I hope that everyone will support, in the end, the best chance that this generation will ever have to implement a lasting peace in the Balkans."

Jeremić said that the Serbian government is dedicated to peace and reconciliation in the region and is working on arresting all indicted war criminals.

He said that Belgrade is dedicated to improving regional cooperation, stating that Serbia has never had better relations with Albania, Croatia and Montenegro, adding that its policies supporting a unified Bosnia have also contributed to the democratic stability of that country.

He reminded that the Serbian parliament adopted the declaration condemning the Srebrenica crimes, which is an act without precedence in the Balkans and Europe, adding that Serbian President Boris Tadić also attended the 15-year commemoration of the Srebrenica crimes and gave his condolences to the families of all victims, which he did at the ten-year commemoration as well.

Jeremić meets with EU senior official

Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić met in Kazakhstan with EU Foreign and Security Policies Chief Catherine Ashton.

They met on the margins of the informal ministerial meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Jeremić participated in a working dinner at which he met with EU officials to discuss the greatest challenges of Euro-Atlantic and Euro-Asiatic security.

Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev opened the informal ministerial meeting on Saturday. Kazakhstan is currently presiding over the OSCE.

During his stay in Almaty, Jeremić is expected to meet with a number of other foreign ministers participating in the meeting.