No change in government's Kosovo policy

PM Mirko Cvetkovic said today that his government remained committed to the policy of preserving the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty. This will be done using diplomatic and political means, the premier said after today's emergency cabinet session, that was also attended by President Boris Tadic. No change in government's Kosovo policy The cabinet meeting was called in the wake of the ICJ advisory opinion announced on Thursday, that said the Kosovo Albanian unilateral declaration of independence, which Serbia rejects as illegal, did not violate international law, "since there is no active provision that limits independence declarations". The court however would not rule on the right to self-determination or secession. According to Cvetkovic, the government concluded today that the ICJ did not offer its opinion on the essential question, which is the legality of the Kosovo Albanians' right to secession. The prime minister told reporters after his cabinet's meeting today that Serbia would continue with its activities, aimed at resolving the issue of Kosovo and Metohija through dialog. The government also noted that the Serbia did not receive assistance from the ICJ at a time when international law is being jeopardized against the country's interests. Serbia will continue defending her views at a UN General Assembly debate, where it will present its resolution on Kosovo, said Cvetkovic. The prime minister noted that the General Assembly has a broad authority when it comes to discussing Kosovo, adding that Serbia remains committed to a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the Kosovo problem. He stated that the government today confirmed all previous state policy decisions based on parliamentary acts, and said a new, "political act" would be sent to MPs, in the hope that it would rally all political parties around the goal of preserving the country. Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic also addressed journalists to say that Pandora's Box had been opened with the ICJ ruling, that will enable secessionist movements around the world to interpret the issue in broad terms. "The question of secession must be closed with the UN General Assembly debate," Jeremic said. Tadic and Cvetkovic are seen during today's cabinet session (Tanjug)

No change in government's Kosovo policy

The cabinet meeting was called in the wake of the ICJ advisory opinion announced on Thursday, that said the Kosovo Albanian unilateral declaration of independence, which Serbia rejects as illegal, did not violate international law, "since there is no active provision that limits independence declarations".

The court however would not rule on the right to self-determination or secession.

According to Cvetković, the government concluded today that the ICJ did not offer its opinion on the essential question, which is the legality of the Kosovo Albanians' right to secession.

The prime minister told reporters after his cabinet's meeting today that Serbia would continue with its activities, aimed at resolving the issue of Kosovo and Metohija through dialog.

The government also noted that the Serbia did not receive assistance from the ICJ at a time when international law is being jeopardized against the country's interests.

Serbia will continue defending her views at a UN General Assembly debate, where it will present its resolution on Kosovo, said Cvetković.

The prime minister noted that the General Assembly has a broad authority when it comes to discussing Kosovo, adding that Serbia remains committed to a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the Kosovo problem.

He stated that the government today confirmed all previous state policy decisions based on parliamentary acts, and said a new, "political act" would be sent to MPs, in the hope that it would rally all political parties around the goal of preserving the country.

Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić also addressed journalists to say that Pandora's Box had been opened with the ICJ ruling, that will enable secessionist movements around the world to interpret the issue in broad terms.

"The question of secession must be closed with the UN General Assembly debate," Jeremić said.