Negotiator: Serbia has not recognized Kosovo

Serbia has not recognized Kosovo’s independence by reaching the agreement on Pristina’s regional representation, Belgrade team chief Borislav Stefanovic claims. He explained that Serbia had in fact “given a new life to the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and a confirmation on the international scene”. Negotiator: Serbia has not recognized Kosovo The team head told a press conference he was pleased the last round of the talks ended with the agreement, adding that it preserved Serbia’s Constitution and sovereignty. click for the full text of the agreement “Opinions coming from Washington and Pristina that the agreement will help bring new recognitions of Kosovo are not correct,” Stefanovic pointed out. He noted that the International Court of Justice’s opinion, which was requested by Serbia, had confirmed that Kosovo’s Declaration of Independence was not contrary to the international law but that it did not confirm that the Albanians had the right to secede. “Kosovo did not get a confirmation that it could be independent but only that it could get a piece of paper from a group of people who gathered there. Of course, they don’t see it that way but I can understand that,” the Belgrade lead negotiator stated. He also explained that Pristina would at the international meetings be represented without prejudicing statehood elements that would not be present. “They will be represented as Kosovo with a footnote,” Stefanovic stressed. He added that two agreements that had not been signed would be submitted to the Serbian parliament once the government had adopted them. Borislav Stefanovic (Tanjug, file) “Special status of two crossings confirmed” Stefanovic stated Saturday that the technical protocol on the implementation of the agreement on integrated management of crossings, which was agreed in the last round of the dialogue with Pristina, clearly defined the specific status of the Brnjak and Jarinje administrative crossings, as well as the role of EULEX at these checkpoints. He presented the agreement on Pristina's regional representation and the technical protocol at a press conference in the Serbian government, explaining that the protocol defined functioning of the crossings, operation of groups for the implementation of the deal, as well as the dynamics of its realization. The protocol is signed by Belgrade and Brussels on one side and Pristina and Brussels on the other and then it will be forwarded to the Serbian government and the Parliamentary Committee for Kosovo. When asked about the role of EULEX bearing in mind that Pristina claims that the mission only has observer status, Belgrade says it has executive power, while according to EULEX its status has not been defined yet, Stefanovic said that all European officials including EULEX Chief Xavier de Marnhac were familiar with the mission's role. “The mission should operate in a status neutral manner. The protocol confirms EULEX's presence and mandate, which clearly defines north crossings as specific. For us, it is crucial to have EULEX continue its operation and presence at the Jarinje and Brnjak administrative checkpoints, while the presence of ethnic Albanian customs officers will be in form of customs observers,” the Belgrade team head noted. He underlined that Pristina's attempt to establish state borders was successfully avoided throughout the dialogue. Beta Tanjug

Negotiator: Serbia has not recognized Kosovo

The team head told a press conference he was pleased the last round of the talks ended with the agreement, adding that it preserved Serbia’s Constitution and sovereignty.

click for the full text of the agreement

“Opinions coming from Washington and Priština that the agreement will help bring new recognitions of Kosovo are not correct,” Stefanović pointed out.

He noted that the International Court of Justice’s opinion, which was requested by Serbia, had confirmed that Kosovo’s Declaration of Independence was not contrary to the international law but that it did not confirm that the Albanians had the right to secede.

“Kosovo did not get a confirmation that it could be independent but only that it could get a piece of paper from a group of people who gathered there. Of course, they don’t see it that way but I can understand that,” the Belgrade lead negotiator stated.

He also explained that Priština would at the international meetings be represented without prejudicing statehood elements that would not be present.

“They will be represented as Kosovo with a footnote,” Stefanović stressed.

He added that two agreements that had not been signed would be submitted to the Serbian parliament once the government had adopted them.

“Special status of two crossings confirmed”

Stefanović stated Saturday that the technical protocol on the implementation of the agreement on integrated management of crossings, which was agreed in the last round of the dialogue with Priština, clearly defined the specific status of the Brnjak and Jarinje administrative crossings, as well as the role of EULEX at these checkpoints.

He presented the agreement on Priština's regional representation and the technical protocol at a press conference in the Serbian government, explaining that the protocol defined functioning of the crossings, operation of groups for the implementation of the deal, as well as the dynamics of its realization.

The protocol is signed by Belgrade and Brussels on one side and Priština and Brussels on the other and then it will be forwarded to the Serbian government and the Parliamentary Committee for Kosovo.

When asked about the role of EULEX bearing in mind that Priština claims that the mission only has observer status, Belgrade says it has executive power, while according to EULEX its status has not been defined yet, Stefanović said that all European officials including EULEX Chief Xavier de Marnhac were familiar with the mission's role.

“The mission should operate in a status neutral manner. The protocol confirms EULEX's presence and mandate, which clearly defines north crossings as specific. For us, it is crucial to have EULEX continue its operation and presence at the Jarinje and Brnjak administrative checkpoints, while the presence of ethnic Albanian customs officers will be in form of customs observers,” the Belgrade team head noted.

He underlined that Priština's attempt to establish state borders was successfully avoided throughout the dialogue.