"Resolution depends on China and Russia"

"Resolution depends on China and Russia"

“One permanent member of the UN Security Council has already warned that it would not approve of certain solutions, which is enough for the UN SC to drop such a solution”, Kojen said.

He added that he was not particularly concerned with the exact content of Martti Ahtisaari’s finalized proposal, given that Russia and China are opposed to the position of western powers, and to the position of the US in particular.

“It’s very important that Serbia cling to its established position and wait for world powers to convene in New York. We believe that a favorable compromise amongst UN Security Council members is bound to be reached”, Kojen stressed.

Kojen estimated that Ahtisaari’s proposal unequivocally entails independence for Kosovo since it bears no mention of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia over the province, paving the way for the alteration of the legal status of Kosovo.

The UN Special Envoy’s plan gives the trappings of statehood to Kosovo, including the right to make international agreements, the right to apply for membership in international communities, sovereign organizational authority over political and economic systems and armed forces, Kojen said.

"Kosovo has been independent for eight years"

Čedomir Jovanović, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), said that Kosovo had separated from Belgrade eight years ago, adding that he would agree to put his signature to any document that would secure normal life for Kosovo citizens. 

Belgrade daily Politika quoted Jovanović as saying “I care about the people in Kosovo, not about its territory. I wish that Kosovo citizens could decide on their fate”.

“Serbia cannot fight for 15 percent of its territory by risking to lose the remaining 85 percent. If you asked me whether I would agree to sign a document which will enable Kosovo Serbs to lead normal lives, grant the Serbs the right of veto, secure their participation in all Kosovo institutions and bring strong local self-administration, I would put my name on it”, Jovanović concluded.