- Title: RUSSIA: Russia and Serbia united on Kosovo issue
- Date: 7th June 2007
- Summary: MEDIA FILMING OUTSIDE LAVROV AND JEREMIC COMING OUT OF BUILDING TO TALK TO MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) SERGEI LAVROV, RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, SAYING: "We think that it is necessary to set up the parameters for the future talks and the talks should be held through a balanced mediation. The results of such talks should be reported to the Security Council." MEDIA TAKING NOTES (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) SERGEI LAVROV, RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, SAYING: "We will not agree to any unilateral imposition of a decision on Belgrade." (SOUNDBITE) (Serbian) VUK JEREMIC, SERBIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, SAYING: "For Serbia the independence of Kosovo of any kind is absolutely unacceptable." MEDIA TAKING NOTES (SOUNDBITE) (Serbian) VUK JEREMIC, SERBIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, SAYING: "And that's why Serbia cannot support any step or steps on the way which lead to any form of this independence." MEDIA LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) SERGEI LAVROV, RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, SAYING: "Vuk said that the compromise is possible, but possible only on the ground of the international laws and on the condition of equal rights of both interested parties. Such compromise is possible and such compromise means that both Belgrade and Pristina will agree to it and of course, we will support such compromise." EXTERIOR OF THE HOUSE
- Embargoed: 23rd June 2007 00:37
- Keywords:
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVA19764K63F3DPKRSE9DPKY8SPX
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: Russia said on Wednesday (June 6) it will not support any solution of the Kosovo problem which will be unacceptable for Belgrade, in a sign that Moscow is unwilling to change its stance on the Balkan province ahead of the Group of Eight summit.
"We think that it is necessary to set up the parameters for the future talks and the talks should be held through a balanced mediation. The results of such talks should be reported to the Security Council....We will not agree to any unilateral imposition of a decision on Belgrade", Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters after a meeting with Serbian counterpart Vuk Jeremic.
Kosovo's ethnic majority is impatient for independence and has the backing of the United States and the European Union.
But Russia, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has hinted it could veto a resolution that supports a plan clearing the way for Kosovo's independence.
As diplomats scurry to reach agreement in the United Nations, the future of Kosovo is expected to be high on the informal agenda of G8 leaders who meet in the north German resort of Heiligendamm on Wednesday.
Kosovo Albanians demand full independence. Serbia, which views the province as its spiritual heartland, says broad autonomy is the most it can offer.
"For Serbia the independence of Kosovo of any kind is absolutely unacceptable," Jeremic said.
"And that's why Serbia cannot support any step or steps on the way which lead to any form of this independence," he added.
But both Lavrov and Jeremic have stressed that compromise is still possible over the issue.
"Vuk said that the compromise is possible, but possible only on the ground of the international laws and on the condition of equal rights of both interested parties. Such compromise is possible and such compromise means that both Belgrade and Pristina will agree to it and of course, we will support such compromise" Lavrov said, rounding up the news conference.
Kosovo, whose 2 million people are 90 percent ethnic Albanian, has been run by the United Nations since 1999, when NATO bombs drove out Serb forces to halt the slaughter and expulsion of civilians in a two-year war with separatist Albanian guerrillas.
Russia, which views Serbia as an ally linked by a common Slavic culture, opposed NATO's bombing of Serbia. Russian officials say the United States and European Union are stirring up future strife in the Balkans by carving up Serbia. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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