UNESCO General Conference to consider Pristina's bid

UNESCO General Conference to consider Pristina's bid

Serbian Ambassador to UNESCO Darko Tanaskovic told Tanjug that the chance of a positive outcome of the voting on the request was "objectively extremely uncertain."

According to him, either outcome of the vote is possible, and there would likely be a very narrow margin between the "yes" and "no" votes, given that a two-thirds majority in favor is needed while abstained votes are not counted.

"In order to avoid this undesirable political division in a UN agency specialized for education, science and culture, Serbia will suggest postponing the debate on this controversial item on the agenda, at least until the next session of the General Conference in 2017," said Tanaskovic.

He stressed that a decision to postpone would require a simple majority vote, with the same rules of procedure and determining the results.

"Everything is, therefore, open," concluded Tanasković.

Adviser to Serbian president Ivan Mrkic said on Friday that Serbia's delegation will propose a postponement as "the most sensible position for the whole region."

"It is our firm position that such matters should be negotiated in Brussels, where they belong," he said, pointing out that "everyone is aware of the difficulties and challenges because of Pristina's attempt to somehow legalize by the back door its unilateral and illegal acts."

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic warned on Wednesday in Paris that UNESCO should not be politicized or abused and urged a postponement of the debate on Kosovo's membership in that organization in order to give dialogue a chance.

If it comes to a vote, Dacic called on all countries to vote against the proposal, because they would otherwise violate international law, that is "universal and applies to all."

In his speech during the general debate of the 38th session of the General Conference of UNESCO, Dacic recalled that "UNESCO does not make political decisions about statehood," while "on the basis of UNSC Resolution 1244, Kosovo and Metohija is Serbia's territory under temporary UN administration, where to this day the UN mission UNMIK operates, which means that Kosovo is not a state."

Pristina-based daily Telegraf has reported that the Kosovo delegation "believes it was currently impossible to predict whether a two-thirds majority will be secured."

The daily said that "some of UNESCO's members that have recognized Kosovo did not submit credentials by Friday, and will not be able to vote."

This concerns six countries - Antigua, the Dominican Republic, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru and Niue.