Halimi opposes draft resolution on Kosovo

BELGRADE, July 26 (Tanjug) - Serbian parliament member Riza Halimi, who belongs to the Albanian Coalition from Presevo Valley, stated Monday that he does not support the Serbian government draft resolution on Kosovo.

Addressing the parliament, Halimi said that Serbia has not lacked political consensus on the Kosovo issue over the past two decades, but that "there has been plenty of it, especially in 1998, when the country reached a consensus to reject international help in solving that delicate matter."

According to him, the basic problem, inherited from the past, is that Serbia's policy lacks a realistic and modern approach to the Kosovo issue.

Serbia to draft resolution, Russia, China and EU consulted

BELGRADE, July 26 (Tanjug) - Serbian 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 said that consultations are underway with Russia, China and the European Union in connection with the submission of the resolution, but stressed that only Serbia is 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.

He said that Serbia wants the UN to conclude that the secessionists were not right.

Tadic's envoy addresses EU ministers

BRUSSELS, July 26 (Tanjug) - A special envoy of Serbian President Boris Tadic presented Monday to the European Union Council of Ministers in Brussels Serbia's stand on resolving the Kosovo issue following the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini told the press.

The stands expressed today were conciliatory and seem to pave the way for negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina, Frattini said.

The EU foreign ministers discussed sending a positive message to Serbia, primarily by accelerating the transfer of its EU candidacy bid to the European Commission and asking it to draft an opinion of Serbia's readiness for the status of candidate, he added.

The special envoy who addressed the EU Council of Ministers Monday was one of the envoys sent to the capitals of 55 countries to convey to their presidents and prime ministers the message of the Serbian president.

Their task is to explain Serbia's views and point to the need for finding a mutually acceptable, peaceful and sustainable solution for Kosovo through negotiations.

Ashton: Future of Serbia and Kosovo lies in EU

BRUSSELS, July 26 (Tanjug) - EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton has stated that the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU mentioned Kosovo at its meeting on Monday, but only in terms of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion, while Serbia's EU integration was not discussed.

The ICJ opinion is quite clear, Ashton told a news conference after the meeting, adding that the future of both Serbia and Kosovo lies in the EU.

Belgrade and Pristina should start a dialogue, which the EU is still willing to assist, she noted.

Asked whether they discussed ways of speeding Serbia's EU integration, Ashton said that the discussion focused on matters related to the advisory opinion, and not the speed of European integration or anything in connection to it.

Tadic: Serbia wants both Kosovo and EU

BELGRADE, July 26 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic said that Serbia will continue fighting for Kosovo, but will not give up on the membership in the European Union.

The Serbian president said that the Kosovo issue was once again transferred from the legal to the political field, and that Serbia wished to submit a resolution to the UN General Assembly that would lead to a compromise solution, rather than exacerbate the problem.

During a break at the Serbian parliament extraordinary session dedicated to the policy towards Kosovo after the opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Tadic said that Kosovo cannot become a UN member without Serbia's consent, adding that sooner or later the representatives of ethnic Albanians would have to sit down and discuss the issue with Serbia.

Serbia will not recognize Kosovo's independence and the Serbian government, parliament and the president are required to respect the Constitution, which they certainly will do, Tadic said.

He stressed that no one can prevent Serbia from using all legitimate means to defend its integrity.

"We are doing our best to reach a compromise solution, which means that it should not be possible for one party to get everything while the other loses everything," the Serbian president said.

Tadic assessed that the Monday parliamentary debate was "a constructive and democratic one, unlike most of the discussions in the past 15 years," adding that such debates help the state institutions defend the country's integrity after the ICJ opinion.

Tadic noted that the parliament debate displayed the maturity of the society and its political parties, since they have shown willingness to approach this most important and difficult of national issues in a planned and balanced way.

The president stated that Serbia would start more initiatives to prevent ethnically motivated secession, because they could lead to more instability.

According to Tadic, Serbia will continue its fight, even in the difficult circumstances caused by the ICJ decision. He stated that new diplomatic activities based on new ideas could be undertaken.

Tadic said that Serbia's resolution, currently under construction, would allow for new choices in defending the country's territorial integrity, but added that it would never threaten the country's EU integration or peace policy.

The president stated that the parliament has never reached a consensus on Kosovo, adding that a national unity act would definitely be beneficial, since it would give more weight to Serbia's arguments in the UN and other international institutions.

Tadic: Debate on Kosovo proves constructive

BELGRADE, July 26 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic said that Monday's parliamentary debate on Kosovo was a democratic and constructive one, unlike most of the discussions in the past 15 years.

During a break at the Serbian parliament extraordinary session dedicated to the policy towards Kosovo after the opinion of the International Court of Justice, Tadic told news reporters that the discussions help state institutions in the defense of the country's integrity after the ICJ opinion.

The Serbian president said that the Kosovo issue is now again transferred from the legal to the political field, and that Serbia wishes to submit a resolution to the UN General Assembly that would lead to a compromise solution, rather than set the problem ablaze.

Tadic said that the Serbian government, its ministries, parliament and the president are obliged to respect the Constitution, and pointed out that they certainly will.

He stressed that no one can prevent Serbia to use all legitimate means to defend its integrity.

DS claims resolution would strengthen Serbia's position

BELGRADE, July 26 (Tanjug) - Democratic Party (DS) Whip Nada Kolundzija called on all Serbian MPs on Monday to support the government draft resolution on Kosovo.

"I call on all MPs to show that they understand the Serbian government stands a better chance of defending the country's territorial integrity with the support of its parliament. If it has the support of the opposition parties, its argumentation before international institutions will be even stronger," Kolundzija stressed.

There is nothing unacceptable in the document since it does not violate the Constitution and endorses the continuation of the fight before international institutions, she said addressing the parliament.

Kolunzija said that the government policy over the past two years was based on the Constitution and the government program, which aimed to continue the fight for the country's integrity by all political, legal and diplomatic means.

"We will neither give up on Kosovo nor the European integration," Kolundzija said quoting what was written in the program and pointed out that the Democratic Party of Serbia offered weak argumentation for lawsuits against the countries which had recognized Kosovo's independence.

She said that the lawsuit would jeopardize Serbia's the European integration.

SVM to supports government policy

BELGRADE, July 26 (Tanjug) - Balint Pastor, a parliament member from the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (SVM), said Monday that the SVM supported the government draft resolution on Kosovo and its peaceful policy for a solution to the problem.

Pastor addressed the parliament by saying that the SVM and the Vojvodina Hungarians would not be the ones to deny the Serbian government a chance to address the UN General Assembly.

The SVM would prefer it if that were done in cooperation with the EU and other countries that might help Serbia in years to come, he noted.

According to Pastor, the Serbian government should be running a policy that would be in the interest of all its people, would not threaten the country's EU integration or cause conflicts with other countries in the world.

Dacic: Upcoming moves should be well-designed

BELGRADE, July 26 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Dacic said that the country's upcoming moves regarding Kosovo-Metohija must be well-designed so as to avoid the possibility that before the UN General Assembly, Serbia itself puts an end to its struggle for preservation of its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

“We definitely should go before the UN General Assembly, but also take care that the move of our policy towards Kosovo does not turn to be our last. The resolution should be well-drafted, lest we put an end to what we are doing ourselves,” Dacic said at an extraordinary session of the Serbian parliament.

As he pointed out, it is necessary to think through all the details of the strategy on the fight for Kosovo-Metohija and find answers to the questions what Belgrade will do if at some point on its road towards the EU it is faced with a condition of recognizing Kosovo, or if the Serbs in the province become exposed to new attacks.

“We need to be aware of the new political reality, and it means that we now have to defend Kosovo, but not by leading the country into self-isolation. We also must be aware of the injustice of international order, but its unfairness does not mean that we should be out of it,” Dacic said.

Dacic called on the parties' representatives not to blame each others for the situation in Kosovo, since the problem has been present for decades and even centuries.

LDP to withhold support for resolution

BELGRADE, July 26 (Tanjug) - Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Whip Cedomir Jovanovic said Monday that the LDP would not support the resolution on Kosovo.

"We do not support this resolution because it continues a wrong policy," Jovanovic said addressing the parliament.

The National Assembly is deciding on a draft resolution by the government, which will comment on the International Court of Justice opinion on the legality of Kosovo's declaration of independence and state Serbia's future activities in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Jovanovic said that the responsibility for the current situation regarding Kosovo goes beyond politics.

He called on the government to define priorities that would bring democracy and economic development to the country, modernize it and result in a partnership relation with the world. That relation, said Jovanovic, should be used to realize Serbian interests.

SRS will support policy on Kosovo

BELGRADE, July 26 (Tanjug) - Serbian Radical Party (SRS) whip Dragan Todorovic said Monday that his party will support the future policy on Kosovo that the Serbian parliament is currently debating.

SRS will not side with the enemy and will vote for the document regardless of whether its ammendments are accepted or not, he said.

(end)ljm/ai

NNNN

DEP:PARLIAMENT-KOSOVO-JEREMIC

Jeremic: 55 countries close to recognizing Kosovo

BELGRADE, July 26 (Tanjug) - Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic stated at the Serbian parliament on Monday that 55 countries are "one step away" from recognizing Kosovo's independence, adding that the Serbian government is doing everything to prevent this.

"The situation in the international community regarding the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is very unfavorable for Serbia - 55 states are very close to recognizing Kosovo's independence, but the government is doing everything to make this number as low as possible," Jeremic said at the extraordinary parliament sitting with only one item on the agenda - Kosovo.

He stressed that the ICJ has ceded the political decision making on the Kosovo Albanians' right to a secession to the debate which will be held before the UN General Assembly.

"In the period to come, our diplomatic activity will be directed to preventing further recognitions of Kosovo. The task of Serbia's state bodies will be to secure a majority within the UN General Assembly which will be in favor of Serbia's resolution, after which it will be clear that the ICJ did not give the right to Albanians to a secession from Serbia," Jeremic underscored.

He said that "as long as the Constitution of Serbia is in force, the country cannot give up on the policy of preserving its territorial integrity."

"Serbia still believes that Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence is a violation of international law and that Kosovo Albanians had no right to a secession," Jeremic stressed.

At the extraordinary sitting on Monday, the Serbian parliament is to discuss the government proposal of a decision on the ICJ's opinion on the legality of the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo and future activities of Serbia on defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Colakovic expects consensus in parliament

BELGRADE, July 26 (Tanjug) - Party of United Pensioners of Serbia (PUPS) whip Momo Colakovic said Monday that he expects the Serbian parliament to reach a consensus on the proposed decision on Kosovo.

Colakovic told the press at the parliament that he expects some of the opposition parties to vote in favor of that document too.

It is important to uphold the government's stand on future endeavors to preserve Kosovo-Metohija as part of Serbia, Colakovic noted.

(end)ljm/ai

NNNN

DEP:PARLIAMENT-KOSOVO-DSS

DSS against resolution, wants lawsuit against some countries

BELGRADE, July 26 (Tanjug) - Representative of the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) Slobodan Samardzic said Monday that the party's MPs cannot accept the draft decision on Kosovo which is being discussed at an extraordinary session of the Serbian parliament, because it represents the continuation of the policy that suffered defeat at The Hague.

Samardzic believes that the proposal to send a Serbian resolution on Kosovo to the UN General Assembly is a suicidal action by the government, which is trying to have the parliament involved in it.

The DSS MP pointed out that the UN General Assembly cannot be expected to adopt a different decision from what the International Court of Justice (ICJ) already said.

According to him, a complaint should be filed against one or more countries that have recognized the unilaterally declared independence of the southern Serbian province.

At the parliament's session whose agenda has only one point - the government's draft decision on the ICJ advisory opinion on the legality of the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo and the continuation of activities in the defense of Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Samardzic suggested that after the lawsuits are launched, the parliament should reconvene and resume the discussion. The parliament would thus be placed in a position to actively pursue the policy of the country, Samardzic concluded.

Serbia attends UNESCO's 34th World Heritage Committee

BELGRADE, July 26 (Tanjug) - Serbian Minister of Culture Nebojsa Bradic is heading a delegation to the 34th UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Brasilia, held July 25-August 3, the Serbian Ministry of Culture released in a statement.

Bradic told Tanjug that the meeting is important to Serbia for two reasons: "One is the country's permanent membership in the committee and the other is the topic of the meeting, which will focus on the threats to world heritage, and therefore to Serbia's cultural heritage in Kosovo. This will pose a significant challenge to our delegation," the Serbian culture minister concluded.

The World Heritage Committee is the most prestigious organization dealing with the preservation of the natural and cultural heritage of universal value. It comprises 21 member states: Australia, Bahrain, Barbados, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, France, Iraq, Jordan, Mali, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.

Todorovic: Serbia must foster ties with Russia, China, India

BELGRADE, July 26 (Tanjug) - Serbian Radical Party (SRS) whip Dragan Todorovic said Monday that the draft resolution on Kosovo that the Serbian government will submit to the United Nations General Assembly should insist on compliance with the UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

Serbia must also foster its ties with Russia, China and India, as they are not in a position to give in to pressures by the US, he said.

Cooperation with Russia, China and India is one of the best ways out and of reducing pressures, he said.

The leading European Union countries do not want Serbia as it is now, they might accept it when they reduce it to the Belgrade region only, he said.

The SRS has proposed amendments to the draft resolution, Todorovic said.

Serbia should also request the pullout of the EULEX mission from Kosovo, as it has demonstrated that it is acting against the interests of the citizens of Serbia and of Kosovo-Metohija, Todorovic said.

Kuzmanovic: ICJ opinion could have far-reaching consequences

BANJA LUKA, July 26 (Tanjug) - Republika Srpska (RS) President Rajko Kuzmanovic told U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) Charles English on Monday that the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Kosovo's independence could have far-reaching consequences for the preservation of stability and territorial integrity of all countries in the world with complex ethnic population.

RS will show restraint and remain committed to the Dayton peace agreement, but also to the principle of preserving the territorial integrity of Serbia, Kuzmanovic said.

Ambassador English, who is in Banja Luka on a farewell visit, said that his country will remain committed to the Dayton Accord and that BiH can succeed on the path towards the European Union only as a functioning state in which the leaders have a lot more work to do on establishing a culture of dialogue and compromise.

Government seeks support instead of accepting responsibility

BELGRADE, July 26 (Tanjug) - Forward Serbia Whip Tomislav Nikolic has said that politically responsible people would have resigned their posts on Monday and allowed Serbia to move on, but he added that he did not wish to dicuss anyone's responsibility.

"Today is not the day to argue in parliament, excuse or attack anyone. I wish the prime minister would call for an urgent meeting where he would ask the parliament for an opinion on his actions, and not those of the International Court of Justice," Nikolic said while addressing the parliament.

He noted that the government was proposing a document that would support its actions so far, adding that only those who depended on the government would back such an act.

War is no longer an option in Serbia, unless the security situation in Kosovo were to change drastically and someone attacked the Serbs, said Nikolic. "Personally, since the party has not discussed that, I would back any means the government might choose to employ in such a case," said Nikolic.

He warned the government not to argue with the world and the great powers that have recognized Kosovo.

"I do not see how you intend to defend Kosovo while angering Russia and the U.S., and I cannot figure out who you would be relying on," said Nikolic, adding that there should have been a consultation meeting before the parliament session on Monday to allow the MPs to form a common view.

Grubjesic: Serbia needs both EU and U.S. assistance

BELGRADE, July 26 (Tanjug) - G17 Plus whip Suzana Grubjesic said Monday that the party will support the Serbian government draft resolution in respect of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion on the legality of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence, as well as continuation of Serbia's activities in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Grubjesic underlined that in search for a compromise solution, Serbia needs both EU and U.S. assistance.

She said in the parliament, which is currently discussing the draft document, that the search for a compromise solution should be continued, adding such solutions are all those which do not imply Serbia's recognition of Kosovo-Metohija's independence.

In order to reach a compromise solution, we need allies - both the EU and the United States. Without their support, we will depart from the wanted solution. Serbia has no right to reject the partnership and cooperation with the EU, since it is through cooperation with the EU that it may achieve better results which would be in the interest of Serbs who live in Kosovo, she said.

Dacic does not expect consensus in parliament

BELGRADE, July 26 (Tanjug) - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Ivica Dacic said Monday that he does not expect the Serbian parliament to reach a consensus on the proposed decision on Kosovo.

This does not mean that everyone should stay dug inside their political trenches, he said.

There has never been a consensus in Serbia in history. Had it existed in centuries past, there would be no need to discuss this topic today, he told the press.

However, the issue of Kosovo is above any party politics, he said.

Serbia must hold serious talks with world powers on what is expected to do, Dacic said.

Serbia must be aware of the reality but must also bear in mind its own state interests, he said.

Serbia has tried everything so far, from military to political to legal actions, he noted.

Frattini: Serbia not to be conditioned by Kosovo recognition

BRUSSELS, July 26 (Tanjug) - Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini stated Monday ahead of a sitting of the EU Council of Ministers that even now, after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion, Serbia's EU accession should not be conditioned by recognition of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence.

We should not create new preconditions for Serbia's EU accession, such as recognition of Kosovo. Many member states have not recognized the independence of the province, and they are still part of the EU, Frattini told journalists ahead of a session of the EU Foreign Affairs Council.

When asked whether following the ICJ advisory opinion on the legality of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence, all EU states should recognize Kosovo's independence, Frattini said that this differs from state to state.

The situation is much clearer now. I believe that Serbia and Kosovo should now launch an honest dialogue, excluding the issues related to the status, and that the EU should send a positive message to Serbia, primarily by accelerating the transfer of the EU candidacy bid from the European Council to the European Commission, he added.

Cypriot Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou underscored that his country will not change its position on Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence even after the ICJ advisory opinion.

Jeremic: 55 countries close to recognizing Kosovo

BELGRADE, July 26 (Tanjug) - Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic stated at the Serbian parliament on Monday that 55 countries are "one step away" from recognizing Kosovo's independence, adding that the Serbian government is doing everything to prevent this.

"The situation in the international community regarding the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is very unfavorable for Serbia - 55 states are very close to recognizing Kosovo's independence, but the government is doing everything to make this number as low as possible," Jeremic said at the extraordinary parliament sitting with only one item on the agenda - Kosovo.

He stressed that the ICJ has ceded the political decision making on the Kosovo Albanians' right to a secession to the debate which will be held before the UN General Assembly.

"In the period to come, our diplomatic activity will be directed to preventing further recognitions of Kosovo. The task of Serbia's state bodies will be to secure a majority within the UN General Assembly which will be in favor of Serbia's resolution, after which it will be clear that the ICJ did not give the right to Albanians to a secession from Serbia," Jeremic underscored.

He said that "as long as the Constitution of Serbia is in force, the country cannot give up on the policy of preserving its territorial integrity."

"Serbia still believes that Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence is a violation of international law and that Kosovo Albanians had no right to a secession," Jeremic stressed.

At the extraordinary sitting on Monday, the Serbian parliament is to discuss the government proposal of a decision on the ICJ's opinion on the legality of the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo and future activities of Serbia on defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Mircic: Serbia stands risk of further secession

NOVI SAD, July 26 (Tanjug) - Serbian Radical Party (SRS) Vice President Milorad Mircic expressed concern in Novi Sad on Monday that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion on the legality of Kosovo's unilaterally declared independence may trigger new splits of Serbia.

“According to a scenario masterminded long-ago by the U.S. and the European Union, Vojvodina is next in line for secession and will be followed by the Raska region,” Mircic said.

At a regular press conference, the SRS vice president stated that it is high time for competent and patriotic forces to unite over a sole idea which should be above daily politics - the idea of Serbia's territorial integrity and Republika Srpska (RS) preservation.

Mircic expressed belief that there are no theoretical and legal obstacles for RS to declare independence now, as well as for Serbs in Montenegro to declare where they would like to live.

“Next in line (for secession) is Vojvodina, which separatists, supported by the West, want to secede from Serbia. Their first step will be attempt at harmonizing the Serbian Constitution and the Constitution of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, after which they will run regional elections that would prove Serbs as a minority,” Mircic stated.

Batakovic: ICJ did not close door for Serbia's activities

BELGRADE, July 26 (Tanjug) - Head of Serbia's legal team before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Dusan Batakovic stated Monday that, in its advisory opinion on the legality of Kosovo's unilaterally declared independence, the ICJ did not close the door for Serbia's further political and diplomatic activities whose aim is to preserve the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

While presenting the report on the ICJ to the Serbian MPs at the extraordinary parliament session, Batakovic pointed out that, by the way it formulated the advisory opinion, the Court tried to find the exit from an awkward political situation, and so treated the issue of declaration as a legal instrument, rather than the issue of the right to a secession and the consequences of such act.

Thereby, the essential part of the question - whether the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo is in accordance with international law - was returned to the UN General Assembly.

"This outcome represents a legal failure for Serbia as it did not receive help in a situation in which the international law was violated to the detriment of the country," Batakovic assessed.

However, he pointed out that the procedure before the ICJ was significant for Serbia because it stopped the wave of recognition of Kosovo's independence.

The extraordinary parliament session was scheduled on the Serbian government's request, and the MPs are to discuss the proposal of a decision on the ICJ's opinion on the legality of the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo.

The ICJ delivered its advisory opinion on July 22, whereby the unilateral declaration of Kosovo's independence does not violate international law.

Parliament session on Kosovo begins

BELGRADE, July 26 (Tanjug) - The Serbian parliament opened an extraordinary session at 12 p.m. on Monday which is to table only one issue - government's draft resolution on Kosovo.

The session is being attended by 215 out of 250 MPs, who will discuss the draft resolution which calls for negotiations that would lead to a lasting solution and historical reconciliation between Serbs and ethnic Albanians.

Serbian President Boris Tadic, Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic, all members of the government and Head of Serbia's legal team before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Dusan Batakovic arrived at the National Assembly House at noon.

The session was preceded by thirty-minute meeting with parliamentary groups, which was attended by the whips and their deputies. Shortly upon the beginning, Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) leader Tomislav Nikolic left the meeting. Soon after, Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) whip Milos Aligrudic and Serbian Radical Party (SRS) whip Dragan Todorovic also walked out.

The government's draft resolution calls for national unity and announces that all available diplomatic and political means will be used to preserve Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Wei Jinghua: China supports Serbia's territorial integrity

BELGRADE, July 26 (Tanjug) - Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Wei Jinghua stated Monday that China will continue supporting and respecting Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity even after the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Kosovo's independence.

In a statement for Tanjug, Wei said that ICJ's advisory opinion is not crucial for further talks between the Serbian and Albanian side that need to reach a permanent and adequate solution through negotiations.

During his visit to the Serbian Ministry of Energy and Mining, Ambassador Wei Jinghua said that China believes that national sovereignty and territorial integrity are the foundation of the principle of international law and international legal order.

The ICJ delivered its advisory opinion on Friday, whereby Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence does not represent the violation of international law.

Athens ready to contribute to negotiated solution on Kosovo

ATHENS, July 26 (Tanjug) - In reaction to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding Kosovo's unilateral proclamation of independence, the Greek government confirmed its readiness to take initiative and contribute to every process that may lead to a negotiated solution that will be in favor of stability in the West Balkans, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs has released in a statement.

According to a statement released by the Greek Embassy in Belgrade, the Greek government has already launched talks with its European partners and all interested parties.

The Greek government stated that the advisory opinion elaborates on the legal aspects of Kosovo's unilateral proclamation of independence delivered at request of the UN General Assembly, adding that Greek position is well known and that ensuring stability, cooperation and peace in the Balkans is its key priority.

“These guiding principles define Greece's stance and must prevail in the aftermath of the ICJ advisory opinion. It is our strong belief that the universal respect and promotion of these fundamental principles is the safest way leading to the European integration of the Western Balkans,” the ministry stated.

The Greek government stated that it backs the EU integration path of the West Balkans through its initiative, the Agenda 2014, which encapsulates the European vision of the peoples of the region.

Albanian mafia sells Serbs as slaves

VIENNA, July 26 (Tanjug) - Serbian centre for culture and information (SKIC) in Vienna has warned that Albanian criminals are involved in mass human trafficking of Serbian citizens, and accused Austria's authorised police and judicial bodies of ignoring this form of crime performed by the Albanian mafia.

It is not possible that Austria's police and judicial bodies are not aware that the Albanian criminals are involved in organized human trafficking of Serbian citizens, SKIC reported and noted that girls kidnapped from Serbia are being transported from Kosovo to Austria with forged IDs, where they are forced to engage in prostitution under strict supervision of criminals and pimps.

SKIC claims that as many as 70 percent of the prostitutes in Vienna's brothels are girls from the Balkans, the majority of whom come from Serbia.

SKIC president Petar Milatovic-Ostroski called on all Serbian organizations and associations, as well as the Serbian Embassy and Consulate in Vienna, to voice their protest, because human trafficking of Serbian citizens is a mass crime that must not be kept secret and further ignoring of the crime will be interpreted as complicity.

The Austrian police and judicial bodies have to react immediately, as envisaged by the laws and the Constitution of Austria, as well as international and European standards which Austria is obliged to observe and implement, Milatovic stated in a release.

Jeremic: It is important for Serbia to demonstrate unity

BELGRADE, July 26 (Tanjug) - Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic stated on Sunday evening that it is extremely important that Serbia, in the conclusion of the parliament debate on the opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Kosovo, demonstrates unity and sends a message on which path it wants to take further.

"Serbia is to send a message to the world whether it wants to continue pursuing the policy that attaches central importance to the preservation of the country's sovereignty and integrity in a peaceful, diplomatic and dignified manner, whatever the pressures are exerted upon the country," Jeremic stated for the Radio and Television of Serbia.

EU Council of Ministers on Kosovo and W. Balkans today

BRUSSELS, July 26 (Tanjug) - Foreign ministers of the European Union member states will discuss in Brussels today the situation in Kosovo and Metohija after the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legality of the unilaterally proclaimed independence by Serbia's southern province, as well as the European future of the Western Balkans.

This will be the first regular meeting of the Council of Ministers under the Presidency of Belgium, which assumed the six-month presidency on July 1.

The EU foreign ministers will also discuss future steps on the issue of Kosovo and Metohija and will underline that the advisory opinion of the ICJ opens a new phase in which emphasis should be put on the future.

The EU's readiness to help in a dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina on the cooperation promotion, progress in the European integrations and improvement of the life of the people in the province will be underscored at the meeting.

The ministers are expected to reiterate the Union's full commitment to the European prospects of the Western Balkan states in keeping with the Thessaloniki agenda.

Parliament discusses draft resolution on Kosovo today

BELGRADE, July 26 (Tanjug) - On the request of the government, the Serbian parliament will hold an extraordinary sitting today to discuss the government proposal of a decision on the opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legality of the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo and future activities of Serbia on defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The draft resolution on Kosovo, which calls for talks as a way of finding a permanent solution and historic reconciliation of the Serbs and Albanians will also be discussed by the parliament members.

Serbian President Boris Tadic and head of Serbia's legal team before the ICJ Dusan Batakovic are invited to the sitting, while Premier Mirko Cvetkovic or Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic are expected to present the draft resolution to the MPs.

The resolution, which Tanjug had access to, calls for national unity and announces the use of all available diplomatic and political means to preserve sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“The National Assembly believes that it is necessary to reach a permanent, sustainable and mutually acceptable solution for Kosovo and Metohija through peaceful talks, and in keeping with the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia, which will provide for an historic reconciliation of the Serbian and Albanian peoples, as well as for peace and stability in the region,” the text reads.

It is also said in the draft resolution that the Serbian government will submit the Resolution to the United Nations General Assembly, the adoption of which would pave the way towards a compromise through negotiations.

“The Republic of Serbia will never recognize, either explicitly or implicitly, the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo and Metohija,” it is underscored in the draft resolution.

Back to events