Lavrov: Russia will not support imposed solution

Lavrov: Russia will not support imposed solution

“We will not approve an imposed solution,” Lavrov said.

"We support the Serbian government's efforts in resolving all the tasks facing them, we are also united on the Kosovo issue," Sergei Lavrov was quoted by Ria Novosti.

The Russian minister called the current talks timely, as Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica during the 11th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

"Today we will be able to resume the intensive dialogue started during my visit to Belgrade in April," Lavrov said.

Jeremić, on his first visit outside of the Balkans following the formation of a new Cabinet in Belgrade May 15, said the meeting reflects the effectiveness of bilateral relations, which he said currently are at a productive stage, but stressed that his main task as foreign minister is "to take these relations to a higher level."

Jeremić said Serbia's prime minister was "looking forward to the St. Petersburg meeting."

He repeated that Serbia considered Kosovo’s independence unacceptable, and added that Belgrade was ready for a compromise.

“A compromise is attainable. We hope that the talks with continue with appropriate international mediation,” Jeremić told journalists.

EU: G8 leaders hold key to Kosovo

The EU circles have been paying close attention to whether the June 6-8 G8 summit in Rostock, Germany might bridge the gap regarding Kosovo’s status settlement, which in turn could leave the door open for considering Serbia’s initiative to launch a new phase of talks between Belgrade and Priština, Beta reported from Brussels.

Beta reported its “well informed diplomatic sources” as saying that the European Union so far only took notice of Serbia’s initiative, as the prevailing standpoint was still that further talks would only lead to redundant delays.

The EU is also anxious about the upcoming vote on a new Kosovo resolution and possibility of a Russian or Chinese veto.

“A veto would halt the entire settlement process within the UN, and block the entry of a EU monitoring and administrative mission to Kosovo which is ready to be deployed,” Beta’s sources said.

According to the same sources, the most “gruesome” scenario for the EU would be the one where the U.S. unilaterally recognizes Kosovo’s statehood.

It would only widen the chasm among the EU member states, which adamantly call for the adoption of a UN resolution to serve as an international and legal basis for the solution of Kosovo’s status and for the EU mission in the province, the sources concluded.