Parliament backs govt. Kosovo policy

MPs adopted a resolution on Monday calling on the government to continue its activities defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. After a 12-hour debate, 26 members of parliament present voted against the decision, while two members abstained. 192 voted in favor. Parliament backs govt. Kosovo policy "The National Assembly finds it necessary to come through peaceful negotiations to a permanent, sustainable and mutually acceptable solution for Kosovo and Metohija, in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia, which would enable an historic reconciliation of the Serbian and Albanian people, as well as peace and stability in the region," the text of the adopted document says. It calls for national unity and announces the use of all available diplomatic and political means to preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity. "The National Assembly expresses its full commitment to achieving the national and political unity on the issue of preservation of Kosovo and Metohija, and confirms that Serbia will never, neither explicitly nor implicitly, recognize the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo and Metohija," it is underscored. MPs supported the government in the process of submitting a resolution to the United Nations General Assembly, whose approval would open the way to reaching a compromise solution for Kosovo and Metohija through negotiations. Parliament also authorized the government to undertake all diplomatic efforts towards the adoption of the resolution by the UN General Assembly, according to a document adopted at the extraordinary parliament session in which Serbian President Boris Tadic, Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic and all members of the government also took part. Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said late Monday that the resolution on Kosovo to be submitted to the UN General Assembly will be drafted by Serbia alone. Jeremic added however that "consultations are underway with Russia, China and the European Union" in connection with the submission of the resolution, but stressed that "only Serbia" was drafting it. “Since we want the resolution to be passed, we want to secure as many votes as possible during the consultations, and see further negotiations on Kosovo's status as a result,” the foreign minister said. The minister said that Serbia wants the UN to conclude that the "secessionists were not right". Government officials in parliament (Beta)

Parliament backs govt. Kosovo policy

"The National Assembly finds it necessary to come through peaceful negotiations to a permanent, sustainable and mutually acceptable solution for Kosovo and Metohija, in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia, which would enable an historic reconciliation of the Serbian and Albanian people, as well as peace and stability in the region," the text of the adopted document says.

It calls for national unity and announces the use of all available diplomatic and political means to preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"The National Assembly expresses its full commitment to achieving the national and political unity on the issue of preservation of Kosovo and Metohija, and confirms that Serbia will never, neither explicitly nor implicitly, recognize the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo and Metohija," it is underscored.

MPs supported the government in the process of submitting a resolution to the United Nations General Assembly, whose approval would open the way to reaching a compromise solution for Kosovo and Metohija through negotiations.

Parliament also authorized the government to undertake all diplomatic efforts towards the adoption of the resolution by the UN General Assembly, according to a document adopted at the extraordinary parliament session in which Serbian President Boris Tadić, Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković and all members of the government also took part.

Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić said late Monday that the resolution on Kosovo to be submitted to the UN General Assembly will be drafted by Serbia alone.

Jeremić added however that "consultations are underway with Russia, China and the European Union" in connection with the submission of the resolution, but stressed that "only Serbia" was drafting it.

“Since we want the resolution to be passed, we want to secure as many votes as possible during the consultations, and see further negotiations on Kosovo's status as a result,” the foreign minister said.

The minister said that Serbia wants the UN to conclude that the "secessionists were not right".