Jeremić: Support for independence shameful

Vuk Jeremic today reiterated that Kosovo will never become the member of the UN or OSCE – as long as Serbia is one. The foreign minister from President Boris Tadic's Democrats (DS) was taking part in the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) in Sofia yesterday and today when he described some countries' decision to recognize the Kosovo Albanians' unilateral proclamation of independence, which Serbia has declared illegal, as shameful. Jeremic: Support for independence shameful "It is shameful that some countries have decided to, while recognizing Kosovo, support states outside the region, those who equate force and justice, instead of choosing regional solidarity," he said. "The result of this is the renewed debate about the legitimacy of internationally recognized borders, which a leading British analyst described as 'illegal balkanization', the consequences of which are felt all over the world, despite some claims that Kosovo is a unique case," the foreign minister told the meeting. Jeremic added that in order to achieve Kosovo's illegal independence, forces that stand behind it offered deals, exerted pressure, and twisted arms "all over the region, all over Europe, and all over the world". "Some countries have succumbed, others could, but some never will," Jeremic described the results. He wondered why "some have decided to sacrifice the region's geo-strategic priorities of the 21st century at the alter of maximalist ethic aspirations belonging to the 19th century". "Is it because of fear of violence, should someone's demands not be fulfilled? Have we become the victims of ethnic blackmail? Is that the price that must be paid in order to practice our values? I do not believe that this can be true," Jeremic said. "I was told that some decided to capitulate to the Kosovo Albanians' secessionist demands because the negotiations had failed. Is that the reason? Serbs and Albanians were unable to come to an agreement after several rounds of talks, so we must impose a solution on them?", he asked the meeting. "In fact, this is not a valid argument, since some very powerful people said in advance that Kosovo Albanians will get all they want, if only they do not concede an inch during the talks," Jeremic continued. "When the dust settles and when some 40 countries recognize Kosovo's independence, we will face the hard reality – Kosovo will never be a member of the UN, or OSCE." "As such, it will not belong to the world community of sovereign nations. It will never achieve this highest status of legitimacy. Even here, today, Kosovo is the chairman's guest, not a participant. Allow me to tell you this loud and clear: as long as Serbia is here, Kosovo will never be," Jeremic stressed. He repeated that Serbia will never back down from its position that Kosovo's future status must be agreed on through negotiations and compromise, and that this solution must be acceptable to both sides. "Perhaps it's not a diplomatic thing to say, but your countries are in a situation where they face a perverse choice, put before my country too, to choose between Kosovo and Europe. You are now in a situation to choose between Serbia and Kosovo. This is not what we wanted. This is not what we worked for. We did not want to find ourselves in this situation, but here we are now," Jeremic told the meeting of regional leaders. "Serbia is no super power. We do not have at our disposal what some others have, but we do have justice, international law and common sense on our side," Jeremic said, and warned that those countries that decide to recognize Kosovo, will at the same time degrade their relations with Belgrade. The meeting in Sofia (Tanjug) No obstruction Yesterday, Jeremic said Serbia will not obstruct the work of the newly-formed Regional Cooperation Council (RCC). But he added that Pristina must participate in the council under the name UNMIK/Kosovo, Beta news agency reported. Addressing the ministerial meeting of the RCC, Jeremic voiced regret over the lack of unity among countries of the region concerning Kosovo, and pointed out that, in that case, existing practice should lead the region forward. "And the existing practice stipulates that Pristina's involvement in the RCC must be fully in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 1244, and that is under the name UNMIK/Kosovo," the minister said. Reiterating that the declaration of Kosovo's independence has launched a debate in the region on how far cooperation can go, Jeremic said that "the heavy load of responsibility has been put on South East Europe." Jeremic once again expressed deep regret over the riots and assaults on embassies in Belgrade that took place on Feb. 21, after the peaceful protest against Kosovo independence. "We will do the best we can to make sure that never happens again," he said. Sofia played host to the closing meeting of the Stability Pact for South East Europe, at which the authority for regional cooperation was transferred to the RCC. At the meeting, Croatian diplomat Hido Biscevic was appointed General Secretary of the council, which will be based in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo

Jeremić: Support for independence shameful

"It is shameful that some countries have decided to, while recognizing Kosovo, support states outside the region, those who equate force and justice, instead of choosing regional solidarity," he said.

"The result of this is the renewed debate about the legitimacy of internationally recognized borders, which a leading British analyst described as 'illegal balkanization', the consequences of which are felt all over the world, despite some claims that Kosovo is a unique case," the foreign minister told the meeting.

Jeremić added that in order to achieve Kosovo's illegal independence, forces that stand behind it offered deals, exerted pressure, and twisted arms "all over the region, all over Europe, and all over the world".

"Some countries have succumbed, others could, but some never will," Jeremić described the results.

He wondered why "some have decided to sacrifice the region's geo-strategic priorities of the 21st century at the alter of maximalist ethic aspirations belonging to the 19th century".

"Is it because of fear of violence, should someone's demands not be fulfilled? Have we become the victims of ethnic blackmail? Is that the price that must be paid in order to practice our values? I do not believe that this can be true," Jeremić said.

"I was told that some decided to capitulate to the Kosovo Albanians' secessionist demands because the negotiations had failed. Is that the reason? Serbs and Albanians were unable to come to an agreement after several rounds of talks, so we must impose a solution on them?", he asked the meeting.

"In fact, this is not a valid argument, since some very powerful people said in advance that Kosovo Albanians will get all they want, if only they do not concede an inch during the talks," Jeremić continued.

"When the dust settles and when some 40 countries recognize Kosovo's independence, we will face the hard reality – Kosovo will never be a member of the UN, or OSCE."

"As such, it will not belong to the world community of sovereign nations. It will never achieve this highest status of legitimacy. Even here, today, Kosovo is the chairman's guest, not a participant. Allow me to tell you this loud and clear: as long as Serbia is here, Kosovo will never be," Jeremić stressed.

He repeated that Serbia will never back down from its position that Kosovo's future status must be agreed on through negotiations and compromise, and that this solution must be acceptable to both sides.

"Perhaps it's not a diplomatic thing to say, but your countries are in a situation where they face a perverse choice, put before my country too, to choose between Kosovo and Europe. You are now in a situation to choose between Serbia and Kosovo. This is not what we wanted. This is not what we worked for. We did not want to find ourselves in this situation, but here we are now," Jeremić told the meeting of regional leaders.

"Serbia is no super power. We do not have at our disposal what some others have, but we do have justice, international law and common sense on our side," Jeremić said, and warned that those countries that decide to recognize Kosovo, will at the same time degrade their relations with Belgrade.

No obstruction

Yesterday, Jeremić said Serbia will not obstruct the work of the newly-formed Regional Cooperation Council (RCC).

But he added that Priština must participate in the council under the name UNMIK/Kosovo, Beta news agency reported.

Addressing the ministerial meeting of the RCC, Jeremić voiced regret over the lack of unity among countries of the region concerning Kosovo, and pointed out that, in that case, existing practice should lead the region forward.

"And the existing practice stipulates that Priština's involvement in the RCC must be fully in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 1244, and that is under the name UNMIK/Kosovo," the minister said.

Reiterating that the declaration of Kosovo's independence has launched a debate in the region on how far cooperation can go, Jeremić said that "the heavy load of responsibility has been put on South East Europe."

Jeremić once again expressed deep regret over the riots and assaults on embassies in Belgrade that took place on Feb. 21, after the peaceful protest against Kosovo independence. "We will do the best we can to make sure that never happens again," he said.

Sofia played host to the closing meeting of the Stability Pact for South East Europe, at which the authority for regional cooperation was transferred to the RCC.

At the meeting, Croatian diplomat Hido Biščević was appointed General Secretary of the council, which will be based in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo