Dacic: Reaching Political Solution for Kosovo Is Serbia's National Priority

Ivica Dacic (Foreign Ministry /Ognjen Stevanovic)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said at an Oct. 23 meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in Baku, Azerbaijan, that reaching a political solution for Kosovo was Serbia's national priority and called on the countries that had recognized Kosovo to reconsider their decision and the far-reaching consequences of that precedent.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dacic voiced full support to respecting the principles of sovereignty and political independence as the foundations on which international peace and security should be based, as well as to cultivating friendly relations and cooperation between states.

He said that a world based on the rule of law and respect for human rights was the only basis for peace and sustainable development.Dacic pointed out that Serbia had seen on its own example the consequences of disregard for international law, territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Dacic recalled that, in line with the U.N. Security Council Resolution 1244, Kosovo was an autonomous province of Serbia and under the jurisdiction of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). He said that Serbia, by defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity, was simultaneously defending international law, the U.N. Charter, the supreme authority of the Security Council in preserving international peace and security.

"Achieving a political solution for the issue of Kosovo and Metohija is the national priority of the Republic of Serbia. We believe that a lasting and sustainable solution can be reached only through dialogue, compromise, as well as by respecting and implementing what is agreed," said Dacic.

The foreign minister thanked all the states who did not recognize Kosovo's independence and said that over the past two years, "respecting Serbia's argumentation," 15 states in total had withdrawn their decision to recognize Kosovo, and underscored that Serbia highly appreciated that act.

He urged all the states that had recognized Kosovo to reconsider their decision and the far-reaching consequences of the precedent, not just for Serbia and the Balkans, but also for other countries in the region and the world, to withdraw recognition and give dialogue and finding a solution within international law and in line with Resolution 1244 a chance.

Dacic said that Serbia greatly appreciated the cooperation it had with the Non-Aligned Movement and that it was proud of the historical and friendly ties with those states, which it wanted to deepen. He recalled that the former Yugoslavia had been one of the founders of the Movement and that the first summit took place in Belgrade in 1961.