Serbian parliament's resolution on Kosovo and Metohija

Serbian parliament's resolution on Kosovo and Metohija The Resolution takes into account the fact that the Autonomous Province of Kosovo-Metohija plays a central role in the politics, economy, security and the cultural and spiritual identity of the Republic of Serbia and its people. Its goal is to achieve a long-term state and national goal – the preservation of Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, economic development, protection of Serbia’s political, economic and security interests in the territory of Kosovo-Metohija, a better life for all citizens through EU accession, and a demographic recovery. The Resolution upholds the views presented in all resolutions, declarations and decisions on Kosovo-Metohija passed by the Serbian parliament and takes into account the decisions of the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council. It stresses the need for continued and coordinated action which requires a multi-generational dedication, as well as putting to use all of the institutional, scientific, academic and political experience accumulated over two centuries of development of modern Serbian statehood. The Resolution recognizes the possibility that planned and systematic work on achieving this state and national objective can serve as the center of a gradual yet steady coming together, a lasting strengthening of social cohesion, building and affirmation of national identity, and Serbia’s contribution to the global social and political community. The text relies on a united national approach to the Kosovo issue as a functional political mechanism, in which all institutions, operating in line with their constitutionally and legally defined mandates, work in coordination with each other to realize the defined state and national goals, solve open and current political issues and operationally implement agreements that have been reached and will be reached between representatives of the Republic of Serbia and the interim institutions of self-government in Pristina. At its First Extraordinary Session in 2013, held on January 13, the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia passed A RESOLUTION Of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia on Basic Principles for Political Talks with Interim Institutions of Self-Government in Kosovo-Metohija. 1. The National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, based on the political platform for talks with representatives of the interim institutions of self-government in Pristina, defines the basic principles for political talks with representatives of the interim institutions of self-government in Pristina: a) The Republic of Serbia, in accordance with international law, the Constitution and the will of the people, does not recognize and will never recognize Kosovo’s unilaterally declared independence; b) The purpose of the talks is to create conditions for the Serb community and all other national communities in Kosovo-Metohija, who are guaranteed security and full protection of their human rights. The Serbian government will insist on the protection of all rights guaranteed to Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija, the right of return and property rights. The Serbian government is obligated to continue investigating all missing persons cases and follow court proceedings against defendants accused of ethnic violence against Serbs; c) The Serbian government is hereby authorized to continue with the implementation of all agreements that have already been reached with representatives of the interim institutions of self-government in Pristina. Representatives of the Republic of Serbia are hereby obligated, in future talks on technical and political issues with representatives of the interim institutions of self-government in Pristina and representatives of the international community, to make future agreements in line with the views and fundamental goals of this Resolution, while striving to reach a comprehensive agreement with representatives of the interim institutions of self-government in Pristina; d) All powers vested in the interim institutions of self-government in Pristina as a result of the dialogue will be confirmed by a constitutional law and transferred onto institutions of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo-Metohija, in line with the Constitution, laws and other regulations of the Republic of Serbia; e) Talks with representatives of the interim institutions of self-government in Pristina should contribute to better living conditions for the people in Kosovo-Metohija, peace and stability, and the European future of Serbia and the region; f) Agreements with representatives of the interim institutions of self-government in Pristina should be accompanied by an ongoing dialogue with representatives of Serbs from Kosovo-Metohija. 2. Representatives of the Republic of Serbia will strive to find a compromise and comprehensive solution for Kosovo-Metohija through dialogue. The solution must be a strong foundation for building durable peace and securing full safety for all residents of the southern Serbian province. 3. The Republic of Serbia is prepared to make further concessions with a view to overcoming the current state of relations between the Serb and Albanian people. At the same time, the Republic of Serbia is not prepared to make any concessions that could end up jeopardizing its state and national interests. 4. The Republic of Serbia approaches the dialogue with representatives of the interim institutions of self-government in Pristina aware of the significance that a mutually acceptable solution for Kosovo-Metohija will have in the context of continued and accelerated integration of the entire Western Balkans region into the European Union. 5. The National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia demands that the government keep it apprised of any new developments, the progress of talks with representatives of the interim institutions of self-government in Pristina related to Kosovo-Metohija, and of the realization of the goals, activities and measures defined herein for the protection of Serbia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order. 6. The Resolution and the direction, guidelines and goals of state policy defined by it, are binding for all state bodies and organizations and can be changed only by a new resolution of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia. 7. The Resolution shall be published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia. The Resolution on Kosovo-Metohija, adopted by the Serbian parliament with 175 votes in favor, stipulates that all future agreements with Pristina must be in accordance with this document and all solutions must be in line with the Serbian Constitution and UN Security Council Resolution 1244. The Resolution on Kosovo and Metohija, adopted by the Serbian parliament with 175 votes in favor, stipulates that all future agreements with Pristina must be in accordance with this document and all solutions must be in line with the Serbian Constitution and UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

Serbian parliament's resolution on Kosovo and Metohija

The Resolution takes into account the fact that the Autonomous Province of Kosovo-Metohija plays a central role in the politics, economy, security and the cultural and spiritual identity of the Republic of Serbia and its people.

Its goal is to achieve a long-term state and national goal – the preservation of Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, economic development, protection of Serbia’s political, economic and security interests in the territory of Kosovo-Metohija, a better life for all citizens through EU accession, and a demographic recovery.

The Resolution upholds the views presented in all resolutions, declarations and decisions on Kosovo-Metohija passed by the Serbian parliament and takes into account the decisions of the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council.

It stresses the need for continued and coordinated action which requires a multi-generational dedication, as well as putting to use all of the institutional, scientific, academic and political experience accumulated over two centuries of development of modern Serbian statehood.

The Resolution recognizes the possibility that planned and systematic work on achieving this state and national objective can serve as the center of a gradual yet steady coming together, a lasting strengthening of social cohesion, building and affirmation of national identity, and Serbia’s contribution to the global social and political community.

The text relies on a united national approach to the Kosovo issue as a functional political mechanism, in which all institutions, operating in line with their constitutionally and legally defined mandates, work in coordination with each other to realize the defined state and national goals, solve open and current political issues and operationally implement agreements that have been reached and will be reached between representatives of the Republic of Serbia and the interim institutions of self-government in Priština.

At its First Extraordinary Session in 2013, held on January 13, the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia passed

A RESOLUTION

Of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia on Basic Principles for Political Talks with Interim Institutions of Self-Government in Kosovo-Metohija.

1. The National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, based on the political platform for talks with representatives of the interim institutions of self-government in Priština, defines the basic principles for political talks with representatives of the interim institutions of self-government in Priština:

a) The Republic of Serbia, in accordance with international law, the Constitution and the will of the people, does not recognize and will never recognize Kosovo’s unilaterally declared independence;

b) The purpose of the talks is to create conditions for the Serb community and all other national communities in Kosovo-Metohija, who are guaranteed security and full protection of their human rights. The Serbian government will insist on the protection of all rights guaranteed to Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija, the right of return and property rights. The Serbian government is obligated to continue investigating all missing persons cases and follow court proceedings against defendants accused of ethnic violence against Serbs;

c) The Serbian government is hereby authorized to continue with the implementation of all agreements that have already been reached with representatives of the interim institutions of self-government in Priština. Representatives of the Republic of Serbia are hereby obligated, in future talks on technical and political issues with representatives of the interim institutions of self-government in Priština and representatives of the international community, to make future agreements in line with the views and fundamental goals of this Resolution, while striving to reach a comprehensive agreement with representatives of the interim institutions of self-government in Priština;

d) All powers vested in the interim institutions of self-government in Priština as a result of the dialogue will be confirmed by a constitutional law and transferred onto institutions of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo-Metohija, in line with the Constitution, laws and other regulations of the Republic of Serbia;

e) Talks with representatives of the interim institutions of self-government in Priština should contribute to better living conditions for the people in Kosovo-Metohija, peace and stability, and the European future of Serbia and the region;

f) Agreements with representatives of the interim institutions of self-government in Priština should be accompanied by an ongoing dialogue with representatives of Serbs from Kosovo-Metohija.

2. Representatives of the Republic of Serbia will strive to find a compromise and comprehensive solution for Kosovo-Metohija through dialogue. The solution must be a strong foundation for building durable peace and securing full safety for all residents of the southern Serbian province.

3. The Republic of Serbia is prepared to make further concessions with a view to overcoming the current state of relations between the Serb and Albanian people. At the same time, the Republic of Serbia is not prepared to make any concessions that could end up jeopardizing its state and national interests.

4. The Republic of Serbia approaches the dialogue with representatives of the interim institutions of self-government in Priština aware of the significance that a mutually acceptable solution for Kosovo-Metohija will have in the context of continued and accelerated integration of the entire Western Balkans region into the European Union.

5. The National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia demands that the government keep it apprised of any new developments, the progress of talks with representatives of the interim institutions of self-government in Priština related to Kosovo-Metohija, and of the realization of the goals, activities and measures defined herein for the protection of Serbia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order.

6. The Resolution and the direction, guidelines and goals of state policy defined by it, are binding for all state bodies and organizations and can be changed only by a new resolution of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia.

7. The Resolution shall be published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia.