Kosovo’s Unilateral Declaration of Independence in Violation of International Law

Statement on the 2nd anniversary of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence

By Global Research
Global Research, February 17, 2010
B92 17 February 2010
In-depth Report:

BELGRADE — Minister for Kosovo Goran Bogdanović today praised the country’s diplomacy in its efforts to preserve Kosovo.

He spoke for the state broadcaster RTS on the second anniversary of the Kosovo Albanian unilateral independence proclamation, to say that Belgrade was successful in the previous two years, “given that less than a third of the world countries have recognized Kosovo”.

“Two thirds of the states in the world have recognized international law and territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia that has put great efforts to improve the situation in Serbia’s southern province,” Bogdanović stated.

Bogdanović said that the figure of 65 countries, out of the 192 UN members, that have recognized Kosovo, shows that the majority of the states in the world do not accept the proclamation.

The minister also said that in the last 10 years, Kosovo remained an island of crime and ethnic intolerance in the civilized world and Europe and a place where Serbs do not have freedom of movement and not all ethnic groups are legally protected.

Bogdanović said that Serbia is ready for a dialogue and constructive and pragmatic policy toward Kosovo and Metohija, adding that the plan of International Civilian Office (ICO) in Priština, and its chief, Pieter Feith, will not be successful.

The plan seeks to bring northern, Serb areas of the province under the control of the Kosovo Albanian government in Priština.

Serbs have no trust in Kosovo institutions, Bogdanović said, and added that Serbs are not legally protected, their cemeteries are being destroyed while the temporary institutions have done nothing to reconcile Serbs and Albanians.

According to Bogdanović, Serbia is making huge efforts to improve the situation and to help IDPs driven out of their homes in the province return.

“No recognition for quasi-state”

State Secretary in the Ministry for Kosovo and Metohija Oliver Ivanović said Tuesday that two years after the unilateral declaration of Kosovo’s independence, “it is clear to everyone that Serbia will never recognize that quasi-state in Kosovo”.

Serbia will do everything it can through political and legal means to preserve its territorial integrity and keep Kosovo, Ivanović told Tanjug.

Articles by: Global Research

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