Russian ambassador: KFOR, EULEX should act within mandates

Russia believes the Pristina government's attempt to unilaterally and using force change the situation in northern Kosovo is a threat to security in the region. Russia supports Belgrade's stance that problems should be solved through dialogue, Russian Ambassador in Belgrade Aleksandr Konuzin said on Monday. Russian ambassador: KFOR, EULEX should act within mandates He also called on KFOR and EULEX to respect their mandates. "We support Belgrade's stance that problems in Kosovo, and the issue of Kosovo, should be solved through dialogue. It is very important that any agreements be accepted by the people living in Kosovo," Konuzin told Tanjug. He said the Kosovo Albanian authorities "have an arrogant stance and their actions violate international law and represent a threat to security". The Russian diplomat said they are acting outside the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 1244. "What Pristina is doing represents a threat to the security of the people living in Kosovo, the region, and international security as a whole," he noted. "Russia is closely following the development of the situation in northern Kosovo and agrees fully with Serbia's assessment of the events, as well as Belgrade's stance that problems should be solved through dialogue," Konuzin said. According to him, Russian media are reporting in detail on the events in the northern part of the Serbian province. "We are in touch with our Serbian colleagues, working together closely and following the development of the situation. We agree almost completely in our assessment of the events of the past few days. The Pristina authorities attempted to change the situation in northern Kosovo unilaterally and through use of force," Konuzin pointed out. "We believe KFOR and EULEX must fully respect their mandates and must not go beyond the framework of their neutral status," said the Russian ambassador. He pointed out the UNSC needs to continue monitoring the events in Kosovo, while Pristina's allies should not assist the Kosovo authorities in their unilateral and violent moves but should urge them to focus on constructive talks with Belgrade. He said international factors, including the international missions in Kosovo, needs to help in making decisions acceptable to everyone, and the UN should not scale back its presence in the province, but should act fully in line with its mandate. "KFOR needs to maintain its neutral status and ensure the implementation of international decisions and the agreements which could be reached between the two sides. It is also important that EULEX ensure law is respected in the province and investigate the crimes which occurred in Kosovo," concluded the Russian ambassador to Serbia.

Russian ambassador: KFOR, EULEX should act within mandates

He also called on KFOR and EULEX to respect their mandates.

"We support Belgrade's stance that problems in Kosovo, and the issue of Kosovo, should be solved through dialogue. It is very important that any agreements be accepted by the people living in Kosovo," Konuzin told Tanjug.

He said the Kosovo Albanian authorities "have an arrogant stance and their actions violate international law and represent a threat to security".

The Russian diplomat said they are acting outside the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 1244. "What Priština is doing represents a threat to the security of the people living in Kosovo, the region, and international security as a whole," he noted.

"Russia is closely following the development of the situation in northern Kosovo and agrees fully with Serbia's assessment of the events, as well as Belgrade's stance that problems should be solved through dialogue," Konuzin said.

According to him, Russian media are reporting in detail on the events in the northern part of the Serbian province.

"We are in touch with our Serbian colleagues, working together closely and following the development of the situation. We agree almost completely in our assessment of the events of the past few days. The Priština authorities attempted to change the situation in northern Kosovo unilaterally and through use of force," Konuzin pointed out.

"We believe KFOR and EULEX must fully respect their mandates and must not go beyond the framework of their neutral status," said the Russian ambassador.

He pointed out the UNSC needs to continue monitoring the events in Kosovo, while Priština's allies should not assist the Kosovo authorities in their unilateral and violent moves but should urge them to focus on constructive talks with Belgrade.

He said international factors, including the international missions in Kosovo, needs to help in making decisions acceptable to everyone, and the UN should not scale back its presence in the province, but should act fully in line with its mandate.

"KFOR needs to maintain its neutral status and ensure the implementation of international decisions and the agreements which could be reached between the two sides. It is also important that EULEX ensure law is respected in the province and investigate the crimes which occurred in Kosovo," concluded the Russian ambassador to Serbia.