1244 in force, search for "practical solutions"

UN peacekeeping operations chief Jean Marie Guehenno was in Belgrade today for a series of meetings with top Serbian officials. Reports from his meeting with Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said agreement was reached that the valid UN SC Resolution 1244 must be respected. 1244 in force, search for "practical solutions" The senior UN official stressed that it is important to find practical solutions together with Belgrade, in order to ensure peace and safety in Kosovo, Tanjug news agency said. The prime minister pointed out that Kosovo is integral and unalienable part of Serbia according to the UN Charter, UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and Helsinki Final Act, the Serbian Government Media Office said today. Kostunica pointed out that 1244 must be respected and added that EU's mission to Kosovo, dubbed EULEX, "is illegally present in our territory - in Kosovo-Metohija". He also stressed that principles of international law have been violated with the Kosovo Albanians' proclamation of unilateral independence, and reiterated that Serbia will never recognize this illegal act. The premier said that a vast majority of UN member states have not recognized the fictitious Kosovo state and that over 150 UN members recognizes Serbia within its legitimate state borders. Guehenno also held meetings with Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic and Minister for Kosovo Slobodan Samardzic. The discussion focused on specific problems encountered by Serbs and other non-Albanians following the unilateral declaration, the Ministry for Kosovo said in a statement. It was agreed to initiate future joint activities in implementing Resolution 1244 as soon as possible, in order to secure peace and stability in the province until a compromise solution for its future status is found on the basis of the same resolution, the ministry said. Also today, Samardzic presented material evidence to a UN team of investigators demonstrating UNMIK and KFOR accountability for the violence in northern Kosovska Mitrovica on March 17. "Determining accountability for the March 17 incident is crucial for the stabilization process in Kosovo and for restoring the trust of Serbs and other non-Albanians in international institutions and, above all, the credibility of the UN and UNMIK," the minister said. Samardzic also emphasized Belgrade's readiness for full cooperation in the investigation. Yesterday, Guehenno visited northern Kosovo , where he met with Serb municipal officials. The French diplomat said that law and order must be respected and that problems could not be solved through violence. “I am glad to see that everyone wants the law to be applied here, and that Resolution 1244 is still valid. I believe that we all have to work in a practical way, based on Resolution 1244, because that is what the people of Kosovo need,” he said. Serb officials in Kosovo told him that the only cause of violence in northern Kosovo were the attempts by the international community and UNMIK to implement the institutional control of an independent Kosovo.

1244 in force, search for "practical solutions"

The senior UN official stressed that it is important to find practical solutions together with Belgrade, in order to ensure peace and safety in Kosovo, Tanjug news agency said.

The prime minister pointed out that Kosovo is integral and unalienable part of Serbia according to the UN Charter, UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and Helsinki Final Act, the Serbian Government Media Office said today.

Koštunica pointed out that 1244 must be respected and added that EU's mission to Kosovo, dubbed EULEX, "is illegally present in our territory - in Kosovo-Metohija".

He also stressed that principles of international law have been violated with the Kosovo Albanians' proclamation of unilateral independence, and reiterated that Serbia will never recognize this illegal act.

The premier said that a vast majority of UN member states have not recognized the fictitious Kosovo state and that over 150 UN members recognizes Serbia within its legitimate state borders.

Guehenno also held meetings with Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić and Minister for Kosovo Slobodan Samardžić.

The discussion focused on specific problems encountered by Serbs and other non-Albanians following the unilateral declaration, the Ministry for Kosovo said in a statement.

It was agreed to initiate future joint activities in implementing Resolution 1244 as soon as possible, in order to secure peace and stability in the province until a compromise solution for its future status is found on the basis of the same resolution, the ministry said.

Also today, Samardžić presented material evidence to a UN team of investigators demonstrating UNMIK and KFOR accountability for the violence in northern Kosovska Mitrovica on March 17.

"Determining accountability for the March 17 incident is crucial for the stabilization process in Kosovo and for restoring the trust of Serbs and other non-Albanians in international institutions and, above all, the credibility of the UN and UNMIK," the minister said.

Samardžić also emphasized Belgrade's readiness for full cooperation in the investigation.

Yesterday, Guehenno visited northern Kosovo , where he met with Serb municipal officials.

The French diplomat said that law and order must be respected and that problems could not be solved through violence.

“I am glad to see that everyone wants the law to be applied here, and that Resolution 1244 is still valid. I believe that we all have to work in a practical way, based on Resolution 1244, because that is what the people of Kosovo need,” he said.

Serb officials in Kosovo told him that the only cause of violence in northern Kosovo were the attempts by the international community and UNMIK to implement the institutional control of an independent Kosovo.