Republika Srpska remains committed to Dayton Agreement

TREBINJE, July 23 (Tanjug) - Republika Srpska (RS) Prime Minister Milorad Dodik said Friday that RS remains committed to the 1995 Dayton Agreement, which brought peace to Bosnia, and that it would not try to declare independence, adding that such an act would not meet with international recognition.

When asked how the International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision about Kosovo's independence might affect RS, Dodik remarked that one should "recall that North Cyprus declared independence a long time ago and has still not received recognition," adding that "such adventures will not be embarked on," the Bosnian news agency FENA has reported.

Dodik stated he remains committed to the original Dayton Agreement, which brought peace to Bosnia in 1995, and not to its degradation and violations done by the high representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the international community.

The prime minister underscored that RS would keep refusing to recognize Kosovo, but he added that if anyone saw Bosnia-Herzegovina as anything other than a country based on the Dayton Agreement, then the Thursday decision by the ICJ might come in handy for RS to invoke.

"We think that we too will have the right to invoke it should it, of course, be needed. Until then, we will keep supporting Serbia and its policy on Kosovo," Dodik concluded.

Djelic: Africa supports Serbia's efforts regarding Kosovo

KAMPALA, July 23 (Tanjug) - African countries will remain consistent in their position not to recognize the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo and will support Serbia in its efforts before the UN General Assembly, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic said in Kampala on Friday.

Djelic heads the Serbian delegation at the meeting of the Executive Council of African Union (AU) in the capital of Uganda.

Djelic told Tanjug that during its two-day visit to Kampala, the Serbian delegation had a meeting with 28 AU member states and several countries from outside the continent.

A total of 42 of the 53 AU member states did not recognize the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo.

After the International Court of Justice (ICJ) gave its advisory opinion, the African states that are against Kosovo's secession from Serbia, which makes up 75 percent of AU member states, are under considerable pressure to change their principled position and stand on the side of Pristina and its international allies, Djelic noted on the day before leaving for Kampala.

He said that the meetings with foreign delegations in Kampala were focused on the clarification of the ICJ opinion and the next steps in resolving the status of the southern Serbian province, but also on strengthening bilateral relations.

All delegations of the countries which have not recognized Kosovo decided to continue the policy of supporting Serbia's territorial integrity, Djelic said, adding that “this is a great encouragement for Serbia and for its consistent policy.”

“None of the countries that have not recognized Kosovo announced a change of their position. On the contrary, they announced that they will continue to support our position and work with us at the (UN) General Assembly for the adoption of a resolution that will call on both parties to negotiate and come to a compromise,” he said.

The AU meeting, which is held in Kampala from July 19 to 27, is attended by ministers from all 53 AU member states, as well as by senior representatives of Italy, France, Great Britain, Turkey, India, and China.

Serbia's delegation met with representatives of Algeria, Angola, Burundi, Gabon, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Zambia, the South African Republic, Cameroon, Congo, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, the Central African Republic, Libya, Kenya and Zimbabwe, who all oppose Kosovo's independence.

Djelic said that the Serbian officials have also met with delegations from African countries that have recognized Kosovo, such as Comoros and Mauritania.

“We tried to make them aware what the risks associated with their position are, not only to Serbia and the international legal order, but also to themselves,” Djelic said.

The Serbian delegation also had meeting with representatives of Japan, China, Germany and Iran.

Josipovic comments ICJ decision on Kosovo

ZAGREB, July 23 (Tanjug) - Croatian President Ivo Josipovic has stated that all countries of the Western Balkans should join the EU and called on Belgrade and Pristina to turn to dialogue and cooperation.

After the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion regarding Kosovo's declaration of independence, Josipovic's cabinet announced that the president had learned of the ICJ decision, and that Croatia was deeply convinced that the solution to all unresolved issues between the countries of the region lies in their integration into the EU.

"In that context, Croatia wishes that Belgrade and Pristina, while guided by the vision of a common future within the EU, would turn to constructive dialogue and cooperation in order to achieve lasting stability and peace in the region," says the announcement.

Serbia's FM expects UN to call for negotiations on Kosovo

BELGRADE, July 23 (Tanjug) - Serbia's Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said Friday he expects the UN General Assembly to conlcude in September that secession has not resulted in statehood for Kosovo and the only way to reach a solution is through negotiations.

Jeremic told a news conference after an emergency meeting of the government that to declare Kosovo's secession legitimate would set a dangerous precedent that would encourage various separatist movements throughout the world.

"Serbia will take an active part in the UN General Assembly debate. I believe the UN will state that secession has not brought statehood to Kosovo Albanians," Jeremic noted.

The foreign minister announced he will address the Non-Aligned Movement in New York next week, pointing out that the members of that organization constituted two thirds of the UN members.

Jeremic also mentioned that Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic visited Uganda this week and attended the African Union Summit. He also added that 55 special envoys will be sent to various countries during the weekend to deliver President Boris Tadic's message regarding Kosovo.

The foreign minister commented on the International Court of Justice decision concerning Kosovo's declaration of independence by saying that the court gave an opinion on nothing more than the technical aspect of the declaration itself, avoiding to say whether the secession was in line with international law.

"(UN Security Council) Resolution 1244 remains the only legal means that dictates that structure of Serbia's southern province," Jeremic stated.

Dacic: Situation in Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja stable

BELGRADE, July 23 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Ivica Dacic said Friday that the situation in the Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja municipalities in southern Serbia, after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) gave its advisory opinion on Kosovo's unilateral proclamation of independence, is stable.

The police and army are ready to respond to any incident, not only when it comes to disturbing the sovereignty and integrity of the country, but also when life and property of citizens who live in Serbia's south are threatened, Dacic said at a news conference after the Serbian government session on the situation after the presentation of the ICJ opinion on Kosovo.

Dacic said that the security situation in Kosovo is complex and of vital interest not only for Serbia, but also for the international community and for the preservation of peace, stability and safety and security of citizens.

The minister recalled that, in accordance with the UN SC Resolution 1244, Serbia does not have its police and army members deployed in the southern Serbian province, which is why it rests with the international community to ensure peace and security and prevent incidents.

He added that any attack on Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija, “in terms of establishing a unified government of the unilaterally declared independent state of Kosovo, which would involve expulsion of the remaining Serb population,” would be an act which could disturb peace and stability in the territory.

ICJ failed to answer key question

BELGRADE, Jyly 23 (Tanjug) - The Serbian government had an emergency meeting on Friday, where they adopted a report by the legal team that represented the country before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which states that the ICJ failed to answer the key question, the one about the legality of Kosovo's independence.

The ICJ did not legalize Kosovo's ethnically motivated secession, Serbia's Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic told a news conference afterwards.

The meeting was also attended by Serbian President Boris Tadic.

ICJ opinion to have no effect on Serbia-USA relations

BELGRADE, July 23 (Tanjug) - Serbia's Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic said in Belgrade on Friday that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) opinion on Kosovo would not harm the relations between Belgrade and Washington.

Cvetkovic told a news conference after an emergency meeting of the government that the U.S. and Serbia have been developing their relations in a good direction, and that they have agreed to disagree when it comes to Kosovo.

Russia to invest in restoration of Kosovo cultural monuments

BELGRADE, July 23 (Tanjug) - The Russian government decided to invest USD two million in a program of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for financing the reconstruction of Serbian Orthodox holy shrines in the territory of the province of Kosovo in the Republic of Serbia, the Russian Embassy in Belgrade said in a statement delivered to Tanjug.

The statement says that the money will be used for reconstruction of the four monuments of orthodox architecture which are under the protection of UNESCO - the Patriarchate of Pec, the Decani Monastery, the Gracanica Monastery and the Church of the Virgin of Ljevis.

The decision was made in the spirit of UN SC Resolution 1244 and within the framework of an UNESCO international action aimed at assisting Serbia in the restoration and preservation of cultural monuments in Kosovo-Metohija damaged during war operations.

The decision will also represent Russia's contribution to the implementation of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, which envisages providing assistance in protecting the unique monuments of Orthodox culture, since they are significant for the entire world community, it was said in the statement.

Spain's FM: ICJ opinion does not affect Spain's position

MADRID, July 23 (Tanjug) - Spain's Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said Friday that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) opinion on Kosovo's declaration of independence had not affected Madrid's choice not to recognize Kosovo as a country.

The ICJ stated Thursday that the 2008 declaration of independence by the Kosovo provisional authorities was not in breach of international law.

Moratinos noted that the ICJ opinion opened up a new phase in the efforts to solve the Kosovo problem, which would be based on negotiations with Serbia, the BBC reported.

The foreign minister respects the ICJ decision, but says that it changes nothing regarding Spain's decision not to recognize Kosovo's independence.

Expert on international law comments on ICJ opinion

BELGRADE, July 23 (Tanjug) - Director of the Belgrade Center for Human Rights Vojin Dimitrijevic said that the wording of questions addressed to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) allowed the court to avoid giving any statements directly related to Kosovo Albanians' right to secede.

“The wording of questions allowed the court to avoid coming out with any statement on the right to self-determination. However, it is only an advisory opinion, and it will next be discussed at the UN General Assembly,” Dimitrijevic told Tanjug.

He added that the UN General Assembly can ignore the ICJ opinion.

The professor at the Belgrade Faculty of Law said that the Kosovo Albanians are now in a favorable situation, because they won the support of the world's most influential countries.

Commenting on the ICJ opinion, he said that the Court has declared that the authors of the declaration represent the people of Kosovo who want independence, which is not prohibited by international law.

The ICJ did not want to attribute the declaration authorship to the Kosovo parliament, which would be contrary to UN SC Resolution 1244, Dimitrijevic pointed out. According to him, this provision of the ruling is a little far-fetched.

Dimitrijevic said that that the word parliament is not mentioned in the original text of the declaration in the Albanian language, but added that the term is present in the English and French translations.

Serbian lawyers concerned over ICJ decision

BELGRADE, July 23 (Tanjug) - The Serbian Bar Association Managing Board announced Friday that they had received the International Court of Justice (ICJ) opinion on the legality of Kosovo's declaration of independence with concern.

The bar association is concerned over the introduction of a new practice that affects the principle of state sovereignty and territorial integrity, opens up the possibility of new attempts at unilateral secession and potentially creates new sources of instability, says the announcement.

The ICJ stated Thursday that the 2008 unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo provisional authorities, which seceded that province from Serbia, did not constitute a violation of international law, thereby handing the problem back to the UN General Assembly.

Democratic Party to continue fighting for Kosovo

BELGRADE, July 23 (Tanjug) - Democratic Party Spokesperson Jelena Trivan said Friday that the party would remain true to its views after the International Court of Justice decision on Kosovo and invest all its powers to persist in the fight for that Serbian province instead of using the situation there to score political points.

"This moment demands unity and responsibility to defend Serbia and its interest, so I see certain parties' attempts to profit on the blow that Serbia has suffered as inappropriate and shameful," Trivan told Tanjug.

She stressed that Serbia's current policy in Kosovo is the only one that enjoys support from the people and is based on a parliament resolution.

SRS requests from parliament speaker to schedule session

BELGRADE, July 23 (Tanjug) - The Serbian Radical Party (SRS) submitted a request to Serbian parliament speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic to schedule an extraordinary session of the parliament, which would exclusively discuss the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion regarding the legality of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence.

SRS Vice President Dragan Todorovic stated at an extraordinary press conference that the session would discuss the activities of the Serbian government regarding the ICJ opinion and present a draft resolution that the government is preparing for the UN.

Todorovic called on all MPs of the ruling majority to join the request, adding that at the moment, crucial state and national interests should be considered, while disputes between parties should be put aside.

Bucharest: Romania does not recognize Kosovo's independence

BUCHAREST, July 23 (Tanjug) - Romania confirmed on Friday its official position that it does not recognize Kosovo's unilaterally proclaimed independence, and called on reopening the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

The Romanian Foreign Ministry is confirming the position that it has been unequivocally expressing over the last few years, which consists in non-recognizing Kosovo as a state, it was stated in the ministry's press release on the occasion the Thursday announced advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legality of Kosovo's proclamation of independence.

Confirming the deep and unchanged commitment to international law and respect for the international court, Bucharest stated that the ICJ opinion is given exclusively on the legitimacy of the self-declared independence, and is not related to any legal consequences that could arise if the so-called new state is formed.

The Ministry has called on reopening the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina to find a solution that would suit the interests of both parties and contribute to strengthening long-term stability in Europe.

LDP leader requests Kosovo issue tabled in parliament

BELGRADE, July 23 (Tanjug) - Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader Cedomir Jovanovic requested Friday immediately after an extraordinary session of the Serbian parliament that a special parliamentary session should be held in order to discuss new policy that will be conducted after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling.

“The Serbia government does not have enough strength to abandon the wrong policy, but it may count on the LDP assistence in creation of a new policy,” Jovanovic said in a written statement filed to Tanjug.

It is unacceptable for the Serbian government, which has avoided to clarify its Kosovo policy in the parliament for two years already, to take the next steps in the foreign policy without previous discussion in the parliament, Jovanovic said.

SANU: ICJ decision puts politics above law and justice

BELGRADE, July 23 (Tanjug) - The Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SANU) announced Friday that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) opinion on the legality of Kosovo's decalaration of independence was just another confirmation that politics stand above law and justice.

The ICJ avoided giving a legal answer to the main question, which is whether the Kosovo Albanians had the right to secede from Serbia, says the announcement regarding the ICJ decision on Kosovo on Thursday.

"Instead of taking responsibility, the court simply interpreted the independence declaration, thereby avoiding to deliver a decision that would be in accordance with international law," the announcement states, adding that SANU will continue supporting the Serbian government current stance and working to show the historical apsurdity of creating a new country in a territory that has belonged to the Serbian people since the early middle ages.

"We are left with the hope that many allies and friends would continue suporting Serbia in its efforts to preserve sovereignty and national integrity," says the SANU announcement.

Kostunica: Serbs should stay in Kosovo

BELGRADE, July 23 (Tanjug) - Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) President Vojislav Kostunica stated Friday that following the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion, the most important for the Serbian people is to stay in Kosovo-Metohija, since each Serb living in Serbia's southern province preserves the country's statehood.

Kostunica said in a written statement for the media that the true reason of a heavy blow caused by the ICJ opinion should be looked for in the strategy of the Serbian government saying that the EU has no alternative.

He recalled that that the DSS was against taking the case before the ICJ, but was in favor of filing a lawsuit against a certain country before the court.

“I have the moral right to pose a public question whether someone in Serbia will resign due to this humiliation and heavy blow for the country, and whether that will be the one who is the most responsible for conducting the wrong policy,” Kostunica said.

Kosovo central bank governor arrested

PRISTINA, July 23 (Tanjug) - The Kosovo police, in cooperation with EULEX, arrested Kosovo central bank governor Hashim Rexhepi on Friday, EULEX released in a statement.

Rexhepi is to remain in custody by the decision of the Kosovo special prosecutor's office.

EULEX did not state the reason for Rexhepi's arrest.

Earlier on Friday, EULEX stated that the police officers from the Kosovo anti-corruption task force carried out seven searches in Pristina on Friday morning, which encompassed private residences of four suspects, including Kosovo central bank governor.

The related searches are in connection with an ongoing corruption and financial investigation into suspicion of abusing official position or authority, accepting bribes, tax evasion, trading in influence, and money laundering, EULEX said in the statement.

Tadic to attend Serbian government's extraordinary session

BELGRADE, July 23 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic will attend the extraordinary session of the Serbian government to begin at 2 p.m. on Friday, at which the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will be analysed, the Serbian government released in a statement.

The Serbian government will consider further resolution of the Kosovo-Metohija issue.

Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic, Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic and representatives of Serbia's legal team Dusan Batakovic will address the news conference to be held after the session, at 4 p.m.

Experts: ICJ opinion is bad news for many countries

THE UNITED NATIONS, July 23 (Tanjug) - The advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), according to which Kosovo's declaration of independence did not constitute a violation of international law, aroused worry in many countries that have problems with secessionist movements.

This decision is not only the problem of Kosovo. It will be read in a lot of capitals on the basis not of the Kosovo case itself but of the general implications for each country. It is very difficult to guess what will be the reaction of the UN General Assembly, one senior UN envoy said of Thursday's ruling and Reuters news agency reported.

This is bad news to a number of governments dealing with separatist movements. They may regard the ruling as a serious threat to their assumption that territorial integrity should be untouchable, Edwin Bakker of the Clingendael Netherlands Institute of International Relations said.

Sergei Bagapsh, the president of breakaway Abkhazia, said the ruling "once more confirms the right of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to self-rule."

Abdi Samatar of the University of Minnesota said the ruling justified the use of violence to create new political realities.

If the ICJ ruling was read from now on in the manner it was read in Pristina on Thursday afternoon, the international legal order would, without exaggeration, face chaos.

The experts warned that this will encourage the separatists Spain, the Great Britain, France, China, India, Africa, Turkey, Iraq and etc. According to certain assessments, the Kosovo formula could trigger creation of about 20 states in Europe in the next ten years.

ICJ circumvented the question

BELGRADE, July 23 (Tanjug) - Professor of international law Tibor Varadi has stated that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague should have considered the issue of whether Kosovo's independence is in accordance with international law.

Instead of confronting the principle of territorial integrity that Serbia insisted on with the principle of right to self-determination that Kosovo Albanians insisted on, ICJ completely neglected these issues and focused solely on the text of the declaration of independence, Varadi stated in an interview published by the Belgrade-based daily Politika on Friday.

"I have yet to determine, by closely studying the ICJ's advisory opinion, whether this is a way of circumventing the question and avoiding the answer," Varadi stressed, adding that he does not believe the response would be different if the question had been differently asked.

"The fact that the Court digressed from our question only to assess the very declaration is a manipulation. The Court could have done the same with any other question," Varadi underscored.

He believes that those who thought that it was not recommendable to go before the ICJ were wrong, as at the time there was no other way.

Varadi still believes that the idea to file lawsuits against certain states was much worse and would not yield results, as in that case the ICJ would inevitably stated that it is not authorized to rule on the case.

Varadi believes that this ICJ's decision will encourage other secessionist moves in the world.

Kouchner: Belgrade, Pristina should open political dialogue

PARIS, July 23 (Tanjug) - French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner stated in Paris on Thursday that Belgrade and Pristina should open a political dialogue concerning the resolution of specific problems, which is of interest both to them and to the Serb community in Kosovo.

This dialogue is important for the stability in the region, Kouchner said in view of the ICJ advisory opinion on the unilateral declaration of independence of Serbia's southern province.

Having in mind the possible disappointment of the Serbian side and the satisfaction on the part of Kosovo ethnic Albanians, I want to convince both sides of France's friendship, the minister said.

Kouchner said that both Serbia and Kosovo should become EU member states, the French Foreign Ministry released on its website.

Stefanovic:ICJ decision does not legitimize secession

BELGRADE, July 23 (Tanjug) - Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Political Director Borko Stefanovic stated Thursday that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivered a decision that fell heavily on Serbia, but which does not recognize the legitimacy of secession of the Kosovo Albanians.

“The ICJ gave an opinion only on the technical aspect of the independence declaration and whether the text is in keeping with international law, while it did not legitimize secession of the Kosovo Albanians,” Stefanovic said for the Radio and Television of Serbia (RTS).

He underscored that the ICJ did not discuss Kosovo's possible statehood that is political and legal motives of the act of the so-called independence of Kosovo.

Professor at the Belgrade Faculty of Law Dragor Hiber stated that provided it was expected that the ICJ would state that Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence constituted a violation of international law, there are reasons for disappointment.

However, the decision is not fully in favor of either side, he said.

According to him, those who expected that the ICJ should decide that Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence did not breach international law also did not get what they wanted.

Bogdanovic: Serbs in Kosovo have trust in Serbia's diplomacy

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA, July 23 (Tanjug) - Serbian Minister for Kosovo-Metohija Goran Bogdanovic stated that the Serbs in Kosovska Mitrovica and entire Kosovo have made it clear on Thursday that they will not leave Kosovo regardless of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion, and that they have trust in Serbia and its state bodies.

In a statement for the Radio and Television of Serbia, Bogdanovic said that the situation in Kosovo was peaceful on Thursday and that the Serbs living in this region did not respond to provocations. He pointed out that all issues, which the Serbs and non-Albanians in Kosovo are faced with, have to be addressed by using peaceful diplomatic means.

The minister stressed that the ICJ advisory opinion on the unilateral declaration of independence by Serbia's southern province will not change anything in everyday life of the people who remained or returned to Kosovo after 1999, and added that the Thursday events proved the optimism of these people.

Bogdanovic underlined that the state has to pay much more attention to the Serbs in Kosovo, to provide them with financial assistance and instill them with hope that they can live in the region.

The ICJ stated on Thursday that the declaration of independence by the provisional government in Pristina does not constitute a violation of international law and further resolution of the Kosovo issue was transferred to the UN General Assembly.

Hague calls on Belgrade and Pristina to cooperate

PRISTINA, July 23 (Tanjug) - British Foreign Secretary William Hague has assessed that the issuing of the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is an important turning point on Serbia and Kosovo's path towards the EU future.

The legal process before the ICJ is now completed, Hague pointed out. This marks the end of the debate on Kosovo's status and refocusing on the improvement of life of ordinary people from all communities in Kosovo and Serbia through cooperation between the two countries. Kosovo and Serbia must move on to the next phases of their EU accession processes, he added.

In a written statement delivered to the media by Great Britain's diplomatic mission in Pristina, Hague called on Belgrade and Pristina to accept this opportunity to reconcile and become good neighbors. Together, Kosovo and Serbia must build a new pathway on the values which are the very foundation of the EU - democracy, rule of law and peaceful coexistence, Hague said.

ICJ opinion is not Serbia's defeat

BELGRADE, July 23 (Tanjug) - Serbia's Deputy Prime Minister and Socialist Party of Serbia leader Ivica Dacic stated on Thursday that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion concerning Kosovo's independence should not be viewed as a defeat of Serbia on the international scale, and pointed out that Serbia should remain consistent in the peaceful and diplomatic protection of its national interests.

“Such ICJ advisory opinion does not imply that the secession of ethnic Albanians in Kosovo is justified,” Dacic assessed in a statement for Tanjug.

Dacic said that Serbia needs unity and harmony in order to overcome political differences because when it comes to state interests it does not matter whether the party is in the government or the opposition.

Cyprus respects territorial integrity of Serbia with Kosovo

NICOSIA, July 23 (Tanjug) - The Cypriot Foreign Ministry confirmed on Thursday the country's position to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia which includes Kosovo-Metohija (KiM).

Cuprus would like to reiterate its position on Kosovo and confirm the respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia which includes KiM, it is said in the ministry's statement in view of the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Cyprus is one of five EU member states that have not recognized the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo.

China: There is still room for negotiations on KiM's future

BEIJING, July 23 (Tanjug) - China stated Friday that there is still room for negotiations of the international status of Kosovo-Metohija (KiM) and stressed that Beijing respects Serbia's territorial integrity even though the International Court of Justice (ICJ) assessed on Thursday that Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence does not represent a violation of international law.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang stated that China respects Serbia's territorial integrity and believes that negotiations within the UN are the best way to find a solution acceptable for both sides, Reuters reported.

China firmly believes that the respect of national sovereignty and territorial integrity is the main principle of international law and the foundation of the current global legal system, the ministry's statement reads.

China, which has not recognized Kosovo's independence, believes that the ICJ's advisory opinion is not an obstacle for finding an appropriate solution through negotiations, Qin underscored.

Back to events