Moscow Clarifies Its Stand to EU Representative
Moscow Clears the EU Fog: No Deadlines, No Veering From the UN SC Resolution 1244
RTS reports that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has met in Moscow with the EU representative in the negotiation Troika, Wolfgang Ischinger. On that occasion, as countless times before, Russia confirmed its dedication to seeking the compromise solution between Belgrade and Pristina, based upon the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 as the key document pertaining to the issue of the Kosovo-Metohija province. Moscow has also reiterated its stand that artificial deadlines are counterproductive, unnecessary and serve only to undermine the negotiating process.
During his talks with Ischinger, Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed the need to “strictly abide by the principles of the balanced, unbiased negotiations within the Troika and respect the UN Security Council Resolution 1244, which represents the main legal basis for Kosovo solution.”
“The intention of Russian Federation to, based on those principles, keep an active role in the negotiating process, to seek the way of reaching compromise between the parties, which would serve as the foundation for approving the status solution in the UN Security Council, has been confirmed,” reads the statement issued by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs after the meeting.
Deadlines and Statements Aimed at Predetermining Negotiation Results Entirely Unacceptable
Since EU’s Ischinger stated two days ago that he believes “Russia has decided to join those who wish to solve Kosovo issue now, without further delays,” Moscow today clarified its position, stressing that, on the contrary, Russia considers placing the negotiating process within limited time frames and burdening negotiations with artificial deadlines is “entirely unacceptable,” according to the Foreign Ministry statement issued after the talks with Ischinger.
Equally unacceptable are the statements which are attempting to predetermine the results of negotiations, being contrary to the very purpose of negotiations. Moscow also warned that solution for the future status of the Serbian province could serve as precedent for other contested regions and minority issues throughout Europe and the world.