Russia warns EU not to deploy EULEX by force

Russia publicly warned the EU not to deploy its EULEX mission in Kosovo by force, Russian Ambassador to the EU Vladimir Chizhov said yesterday. He emphasized that Russia would agree to a UN Security Council resolution legalizing EULEX if Serbia accepted such a document, and if it clearly defined Kosovo as a part of Serbia. Russia warns EU not to deploy EULEX by force Chizhov said that the EU had no legal mandate to replace UNMIK in Kosovo, adding that any such steps would require Serbia’s approval. EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security Javier Solana was well aware of Moscow's stand, the Russian diplomat said. "We are now warning the EU not to take an erroneous step,” he told a press conference in Brussels. "I’m using this opportunity to send a public warning against any attempt to send the EULEX mission to Kosovo, or to re-establish an international presence,” said Chizhov. “The only way to move forward is through dialogue with the Kosovo Serb community, and through a resumption of the negotiating process between Belgrade and Pristina, which will be difficult but would constitute the only possible way,” Chizhov said. “If the EU tries to ignore Russia's warning, Moscow will use all available means within the UN to draw the attention of the international community to this violation of the UN SC Resolution 1244,” he said. “The EU’s decision to send a mission to Kosovo was a great mistake,” he noted. “Russia warns the EU as a friend and partner not to pursue this wrong policy,” he said, adding that the UN and its secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, had rejected the transfer of powers from UNMIK to EULEX. Moscow had conveyed a clear message to Ban on this issue during his visit to Russia, Chizhov added.

Russia warns EU not to deploy EULEX by force

Chizhov said that the EU had no legal mandate to replace UNMIK in Kosovo, adding that any such steps would require Serbia’s approval.

EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security Javier Solana was well aware of Moscow's stand, the Russian diplomat said.

"We are now warning the EU not to take an erroneous step,” he told a press conference in Brussels.

"I’m using this opportunity to send a public warning against any attempt to send the EULEX mission to Kosovo, or to re-establish an international presence,” said Chizhov.

“The only way to move forward is through dialogue with the Kosovo Serb community, and through a resumption of the negotiating process between Belgrade and Priština, which will be difficult but would constitute the only possible way,” Chizhov said.

“If the EU tries to ignore Russia's warning, Moscow will use all available means within the UN to draw the attention of the international community to this violation of the UN SC Resolution 1244,” he said.

“The EU’s decision to send a mission to Kosovo was a great mistake,” he noted.

“Russia warns the EU as a friend and partner not to pursue this wrong policy,” he said, adding that the UN and its secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, had rejected the transfer of powers from UNMIK to EULEX.

Moscow had conveyed a clear message to Ban on this issue during his visit to Russia, Chizhov added.