Belgrade condemns the formation of an “International Steering Group” for Kosovo
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica condemned on Thursday the creation of an “International Steering Group”, made up of 15 countries dubbed “friends of the independent state of Kosovo”, which unilaterally decided to implement the Martti Ahtisaari plan.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Friday, February 29, 2008
"This is a most brutal violation of international law, U.N. Resolution 1244 and the Serbian Constitution. This arbitrary and illegal International Steering Group has appointed Pieter Feith to the non-existent position of international civilian representative," Kostunica said.
He emphasized that it is necessary for U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who is responsible for implementing the Resolution 1244, to announce who, when, and on which legal basis had decided to form the International Steering Group and appoint an international civilian representative for the implementation of the Ahtisaari plan.
In addition, Belgrade officially announced on Thursday a plan to take Kosovo's secession and the United States-led recognition to the highest international court - the International Court of Justice -- in order to get a clear legal understanding of whether the unilateral declaration of independence was done in accordance with international law.
In Sofia, at a founding meeting of the South East European Regional Cooperation Process Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic has said that the Balkan countries that have recognized Kosovo or intend to do so have betrayed regional solidarity, warning them that their relations with Serbia will suffer as a result.
"And it's a shame, for instead of rallying under the banner of regional solidarity, some have chosen to side with those beyond the region who equate power with justice," Jeremic said and that that countries which recognize Kosovo "will have chosen to downgrade their relationship with Serbia, a proud, democratic neighbor -- a pillar of stability and security in Southeastern Europe."
"Let me tell you loud and clear: for as long as Serbia is, Kosovo shall never be," Jeremic underlined.
His ministry, meanwhile, recalled ambassadors from four European countries which have decided to recognize Kosovo's secession this week: Poland, Switzerland, Ireland Austria.
Kosovo's unilateral secession has been recognized by 21 out of 192 UN member countries, as well as by various non-recognized entities, such as Taiwan or the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which consider Pristina's move a precedent.
