Tadic warns Balkan neighbours to be “extra cautious” regarding Kosovo
Serbian President Boris Tadic warned that independence of Kosovo could lead to unpredictable consequences throughout the world, urging the Balkan neighbors to be extra cautious regarding the developments in the province.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Monday, February 11, 2008
Speaking to the reporters on margins of European security conference held in Munich, Mr. Tadic underlined that Serbia is set to use "all diplomatic and legal means to defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty".
"All governments and heads of state in the region should bear in mind that Kosovo is a serious problem, they know very well what the source of the problem is, and also that any bad moves would have negative repercussions throughout the western Balkans," Tadic said.
"Serbia will defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty using all diplomatic and legal means, but definitely not war," Tadic explained after a meeting with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. "Serbia will defend its territorial integrity with dignity, like a European country."
Mr. Tadic's trip to Munich is widely seen as a last ditch diplomatic effort to prevent the unilateral declaration of Kosovo's independence, as the province's Albanian leaders announced that a parliamentary ceremony is widely expected on Sunday, February 17 in Pristina.
"Serbia does not accept Kosovo's independence; we want a resumption of negotiations and a compromise solution that will satisfy both sides. A declaration of Kosovo's independence would be a totally illegal act," Serbian President said.
Commenting on European announcements that 1,800-strong mission would be dispatched to Kosovo once the province declares independency, Mr. Tadic stressed the need for adequate decision by the UN Security Council.
In addition, Serbian President called for further negotiations with representatives of Kosovo Albanians, including the talks on open issues such as protection of Serbian cultural and religious heritage, future international presence and development of multi-ethnic society in the province.
