Lavrov: Solution cannot be imposed

Lavrov: Solution cannot be imposed

According to the Russian foreign policy chief, the solution to the Kosovo problem must be “balanced”, reached exclusively through negotiations, and “must suit Kosovo authorities as well as Belgrade”.

Lavrov stressed that his country bases its policy on this position, as well as that it’s been agreed on within the Contact Group in September last year.

“There can be no imposed solutions”, Lavrov concluded.

Koštunica talks to Putin

Addressing journalists after yesterday's telephone conversation with the Russian President, Serbian PM Vojislav Koštunica said that Vladimir Putin once again repeated Moscow’s position that the solution for Kosovo must be in accordance with the UN Charter and its basic principle of territorial integrity.

Koštunica announced that Putin said that the solution for Kosovo had to be based on clear and universal principles, and said that this insistence on a universal solution has led to “a turnabout in the perception of the complex Kosovo issue“.

The Kremlin said that Belgrade initiated the conversation, but did not specify whether Russia would insist on preserving the terriotrial integrity of Serbia.

In the meantime, Brussels has also issued a statement in reaction. European Commissioner Olli Rehn said that Russia should define its responsibility and contribute to finding a viable soultion for Kosovo, including the adoption of a new UN resolution.

“Moscow will act on its own interest”

Nenad Đurđević from the Centre for Nonviolent Action told B92 that members of the Contact Group take Russia’s position very seriously, and that consultations will continue after Martti Ahtisaari reveals his recommendations.

“The goal is for Belgrade to support Ahtisaari’s proposal without much ado so that Russia can approve the resolution in the UN Security Council. All efforts are aimed at adopting the resolution and uniting the international community on the Kosovo status issue.

Great Britain and the USA will try to reach an agreement with Russia that respects Russia’s interests. Regardless of whether those interests coincide with Belgrade’s, Belgrade will have too accept that Russia puts its own interests before others ”, Đurđević said.

“The Kosovo Albanians’ strongest card is to call on a people’s right to self-determination, as given in the UN Charter. Whereas Belgrade insists on the respecting the international law. Such law depends on international relations and thus can be subject to change”, Đurđević concludes.