"Talks only way to Kosovo solution, Russia ready to assist"

BELGRADE Talks between Belgrade and Pristina are the only way to settle the Kosovo issue, and Russia is willing to assist in the process, a Russian official says. Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of Russia Aleksandr Torshin, who is on a several-day visit to Serbia, on Monday presented the Russia-based international humanitarian foundation "Sveti Sava Osveceni", which he leads in efforts to protect Christian holy sites in Kosovo. "Talks only way to Kosovo solution, Russia ready to assist" Torshin stated that his work involved contacts with the authorities in Pristina, but that it did not affect Russia's stand on Serbia's territorial integrity in any way. Russia's view on that issue is clear, he stressed. It has not changed and will not change, the Russian official added. He said he was optimistic about the talks between Belgrade and Pristina, adding that negotiations were the only way to achieve anything, without drama and with a positive attitude, pointing out that such an attitude had helped Russia cope even with difficult of situations. Torshin believes the talks should start with issues where agreement is possible, and that harder topics should be set aside. It requires time and patience, and Russia is willing to help, he noted. The Kosovo authorities do not obstruct the activities of the foundation, but in fact treat it with respect and fairness, he remarked. "A lot remains to be done for the benefit of the Kosovo Serbs, especially in ending religious and national discrimination," he stated, adding he was under the impression the Kosovo authorities were doing a little bit to overcome that. Torshin said that was also the position of Serbian Parliament Speaker Nebojsa Stefanovic and Deputy Speaker Nenad Popovic, whom he met earlier. The foundation will increase efforts to restore and protect Orthodox holy sites in Kosovo, because they not only belong to the Serbian Orthodox Church, but are also part of world heritage, Torshin underscored. He presented scholarships in Prizren on Sunday to students of the Orthodox seminary who study Russian and described the visit as successful. Serbia could become an observer at the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Russian official added. He jokingly noted that during his visit on Sunday to Prizren and the Serbian Orthodox Theological Seminary "glasses were raised" in honor of President Vladimir Putin's 60th birthday and the Russo-Serb relations, and added that this "most be fruitful". The Serbian nation, the Russian official continued, deserves the same treatment as every other European nation when it comes to respecting international law. Torshin was also received by the Serbian government's Kosovo office head, Aleksandar Vulin, who said it was "a meeting with a friend", at the same time expressing his gratitude to Russia for the support that country provides for Serbia in its efforts to preserve Kosovo and Metohija. "Without the Russian state, our fight for Kosovo and Metohija would be much harder and the outcome much more unpredictable. The principled position of the Russian Federation - absolute respect of international law - is something that allows Serbia to hope and have faith that the final outcome, when it comes to Kosovo and Metohija, will be in line with international law," Vulin was quoted as saying. Aleksandr Torshin is seen at the Serbian parliament (Tanjug) Tanjug

"Talks only way to Kosovo solution, Russia ready to assist"

Torshin stated that his work involved contacts with the authorities in Priština, but that it did not affect Russia's stand on Serbia's territorial integrity in any way.

Russia's view on that issue is clear, he stressed. It has not changed and will not change, the Russian official added.

He said he was optimistic about the talks between Belgrade and Priština, adding that negotiations were the only way to achieve anything, without drama and with a positive attitude, pointing out that such an attitude had helped Russia cope even with difficult of situations.

Torshin believes the talks should start with issues where agreement is possible, and that harder topics should be set aside. It requires time and patience, and Russia is willing to help, he noted.

The Kosovo authorities do not obstruct the activities of the foundation, but in fact treat it with respect and fairness, he remarked.

"A lot remains to be done for the benefit of the Kosovo Serbs, especially in ending religious and national discrimination," he stated, adding he was under the impression the Kosovo authorities were doing a little bit to overcome that.

Torshin said that was also the position of Serbian Parliament Speaker Nebojša Stefanović and Deputy Speaker Nenad Popović, whom he met earlier.

The foundation will increase efforts to restore and protect Orthodox holy sites in Kosovo, because they not only belong to the Serbian Orthodox Church, but are also part of world heritage, Torshin underscored.

He presented scholarships in Prizren on Sunday to students of the Orthodox seminary who study Russian and described the visit as successful.

Serbia could become an observer at the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Russian official added.

He jokingly noted that during his visit on Sunday to Prizren and the Serbian Orthodox Theological Seminary "glasses were raised" in honor of President Vladimir Putin's 60th birthday and the Russo-Serb relations, and added that this "most be fruitful".

The Serbian nation, the Russian official continued, deserves the same treatment as every other European nation when it comes to respecting international law.

Torshin was also received by the Serbian government's Kosovo office head, Aleksandar Vulin, who said it was "a meeting with a friend", at the same time expressing his gratitude to Russia for the support that country provides for Serbia in its efforts to preserve Kosovo and Metohija.

"Without the Russian state, our fight for Kosovo and Metohija would be much harder and the outcome much more unpredictable. The principled position of the Russian Federation - absolute respect of international law - is something that allows Serbia to hope and have faith that the final outcome, when it comes to Kosovo and Metohija, will be in line with international law," Vulin was quoted as saying.