Israel "strongly supports Serbia's position on Kosovo"

Israel opposes unilateral declarations of independence, supports Serbia on Kosovo, and expects Belgrade's support in respect of the issue of Palestine. This is according to Israeli Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovich, who is currently on a two-day official visit here. Israel "strongly supports Serbia's position on Kosovo" He told Tanjug news agency in an interview on Tuesday that bilateral relations between Israel and Serbia were "very good", and stressed that "plenty has been done in the development of bilateral cooperation of police and fight against organized crime and terrorism". The Israeli minister said that, at the meeting with Serbia's officials, he recalled the closeness of the two peoples and the suffering that the Jewish and Serbian people endured in the past. "I particularly stressed Israel's firm position regarding Kosovo. Israel opposes unilateral declarations of independence and supports Serbia in that respect," Aharonovich stated. Israel has not recognized the Kosovo Albanian unilateral declaration of independence, made more than three years ago, and rejected by Serbia. In the talks with Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic and Justice Minister Snezana Malovic on Monday, Aharonovich requested Serbia's support regarding the issue of the unilateral declaration of independence that the Palestinian Authority plans to make, which will, as he said, would also be the topic of his meeting with Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic on Tuesday. "We will appreciate Serbia's opposition to Palestine's unilateral declaration of independence announced for September, and its support to Israel's position that solution can only be found through negotiations," the minister said. Referring to the bilateral cooperation, Aharonovich expressed satisfaction with the contacts with minister Dacic and cooperation between the two countries' ministries. Two years ago, during Dacic's visit to Israel, Serbia and Israel signed an agreement on cooperation between the two ministries in the areas of combating crime, terrorism, witness protection, and emergency situations, and the implementation of the agreement is going extremely well, Aharonovich said. "Cooperation between all teams in charge of these areas is excellent. We invited the members of Serbia's Anti-Terrorist Unit to be our guests in Israel," he added. Aharonovich conferred with Serbia's Justice Minister Snezana Malovic and her associates on Monday, to discuss various systems and means of fighting organized crime. One of the areas in which Israel can learn from Serbia is witness protection, which was introduced in our country only two years ago, Aharonovich pointed out. The Israeli officials did not wish to comment on the media speculation that Israel could attack Iran in September so as to thwart Palestine's attempt to obtain a place in the UN as an independent state. Aharonovich at the Jajinci memorial for the victims of fascism (Tanjug)

Israel "strongly supports Serbia's position on Kosovo"

He told Tanjug news agency in an interview on Tuesday that bilateral relations between Israel and Serbia were "very good", and stressed that "plenty has been done in the development of bilateral cooperation of police and fight against organized crime and terrorism".

The Israeli minister said that, at the meeting with Serbia's officials, he recalled the closeness of the two peoples and the suffering that the Jewish and Serbian people endured in the past.

"I particularly stressed Israel's firm position regarding Kosovo. Israel opposes unilateral declarations of independence and supports Serbia in that respect," Aharonovich stated.

Israel has not recognized the Kosovo Albanian unilateral declaration of independence, made more than three years ago, and rejected by Serbia.

In the talks with Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić and Justice Minister Snežana Malović on Monday, Aharonovich requested Serbia's support regarding the issue of the unilateral declaration of independence that the Palestinian Authority plans to make, which will, as he said, would also be the topic of his meeting with Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković on Tuesday.

"We will appreciate Serbia's opposition to Palestine's unilateral declaration of independence announced for September, and its support to Israel's position that solution can only be found through negotiations," the minister said.

Referring to the bilateral cooperation, Aharonovich expressed satisfaction with the contacts with minister Dačić and cooperation between the two countries' ministries.

Two years ago, during Dačić's visit to Israel, Serbia and Israel signed an agreement on cooperation between the two ministries in the areas of combating crime, terrorism, witness protection, and emergency situations, and the implementation of the agreement is going extremely well, Aharonovich said.

"Cooperation between all teams in charge of these areas is excellent. We invited the members of Serbia's Anti-Terrorist Unit to be our guests in Israel," he added.

Aharonovich conferred with Serbia's Justice Minister Snežana Malović and her associates on Monday, to discuss various systems and means of fighting organized crime.

One of the areas in which Israel can learn from Serbia is witness protection, which was introduced in our country only two years ago, Aharonovich pointed out.

The Israeli officials did not wish to comment on the media speculation that Israel could attack Iran in September so as to thwart Palestine's attempt to obtain a place in the UN as an independent state.