Jeremić, Lavrov in talks in Moscow

Serbian and Russian Foreign Ministers Vuk Jeremic and Sergei Lavrov have held talks in Moscow today. They agreed that a solution to Kosovo’s status should result from negotiations and an agreement between the two sides in the dispute, be based on international law and Resolution 1244, and confirmed by the UN Security Council. Jeremic, Lavrov in talks in Moscow "Serbia will not accept any decision violating its sovereignty, nor will it accept a decision that does not respect UN SC Resolution 1244, or a decision that is not based on negotiations and compromise," Jeremic told a press conference following the talks with Lavrov. The Russian foreign minister once again confirmed Moscow's readiness to back any decision on Kosovo that was acceptable to Belgrade, and that the Russian proposal on the resumption of direct negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina that was earlier submitted to the UN Security Council, still stood. “A lasting solution to the Kosovo problem can only be achieved if a consensus among all the parties concerned is reached,” Lavrov said, pointing out that the province’s unilaterally declared independence only caused new problems. “Moscow will support Serbia's call to the UN General Assembly to request the opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legality of the unilaterally declared independence,” he said. After the talks, the two foreign ministers pointed out that any change of the format of the civilian presence in Kosovo could not be implemented unilaterally, but on the basis of Resolution 1244 and respecting the UN Security Council, and should not imply the implementation of the Martti Ahtisaari Plan. Today’s talks at the Russian Foreign Ministry were also attended by Russian UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin. During his visit, Jeremic will also hold talks with the Russia’s representative for the Central Federal District Georgi Poltavchenko and the Russian Orthodox Church’s president for foreign relations Bishop Kiril. Vuk Jeremic (Tanjug, archive)

Jeremić, Lavrov in talks in Moscow

"Serbia will not accept any decision violating its sovereignty, nor will it accept a decision that does not respect UN SC Resolution 1244, or a decision that is not based on negotiations and compromise," Jeremić told a press conference following the talks with Lavrov.

The Russian foreign minister once again confirmed Moscow's readiness to back any decision on Kosovo that was acceptable to Belgrade, and that the Russian proposal on the resumption of direct negotiations between Belgrade and Priština that was earlier submitted to the UN Security Council, still stood.

“A lasting solution to the Kosovo problem can only be achieved if a consensus among all the parties concerned is reached,” Lavrov said, pointing out that the province’s unilaterally declared independence only caused new problems.

“Moscow will support Serbia's call to the UN General Assembly to request the opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legality of the unilaterally declared independence,” he said.

After the talks, the two foreign ministers pointed out that any change of the format of the civilian presence in Kosovo could not be implemented unilaterally, but on the basis of Resolution 1244 and respecting the UN Security Council, and should not imply the implementation of the Martti Ahtisaari Plan.

Today’s talks at the Russian Foreign Ministry were also attended by Russian UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin.

During his visit, Jeremić will also hold talks with the Russia’s representative for the Central Federal District Georgi Poltavchenko and the Russian Orthodox Church’s president for foreign relations Bishop Kiril.