Russian Ambassador for Kosovo's Independence: We'll recognize her if she knows Serbia

Ilva Tare: Rama also called in Moscow for Russia and Serbia to recognise Kosovo as an independent state. Do you think Russia will ever do that?

Mikhail Afanasiev: Our country's position on the Kosovo issue is well known. Whatever anyone says, UN Security Council Resolution 1244 remains the current element of international law, which should guide UN member states on the issue. It is strange in this context to hear calls to Russia to recognise Kosovo's “independence”. Perhaps this call should be addressed to some EU states, with which membership is Albania's top priority? That would be more logical.

As for the possibility of recognising the province's independence from Russia, Moscow has repeatedly said: we will support any mutually acceptable compromise decision on Kosovo's status, achieved as a result of direct negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina.

The important thing is for this issue to be resolved directly between the interest parties within the framework of the negotiation process. Only a compromise solution will be sustainable, capable of ensuring stability and security in the region. We also believe that one of the preconditions for resolving the problem is continued attention from the UN Security Council for Kosovo Thematics. The final solution to the Kosovo issue must be supported by the UN Security Council by adopting a new resolution to replace current Resolution 1244.

Ilva Tare: In official Tirana and Pristina at the time of the criminal intervention, they have noticed that Kosovo's precedent was mentioned by official Moscow. So, on the one hand, it was a precedent that Russia accepted, but on the other hand, it does not recognise Kosovo's independence. Is that a double standard?

Mikhail Afanasiev: The events of 1999 are part of history, but a story that continues to affect the situation in the region. These events led to the adoption of Resolution 1244 following NATO countries' known aggression against Yugoslavia's Federation Republic and the actual division of Kosovo. The province's status issue has not yet been resolved, and we always turn to the need to find a solution based on international law norms, the source of which is the UN Charter and Security Council decisions. Recently, our Western partners have been trying to detect some “rule that distort current international law. These are efforts to direct international relations in chaos.

Ilva Tare: It has been made public that Foreign Minister Lavrov will visit Belgrade a few days before elections in Serbia. Is it normal for such a high diplomatic visit to a country where there is parliamentary elections?

Mikhail Afanasiev: Yes, today I have seen the announcement of Lavrov's upcoming visit to Boegrad on June 18th of this year. The focus of the talks will be on bilateral relations issues. I have no further information on the agenda.

As for the goals and deadlines of this visit, it is not my job as a diplomat to assess them. Media representatives have freedom of action here.

Ilva Tare: What does Russia want in the Balkans? What is Russia's goal for Balkan countries? It is no secret Russia's close relations with Slavic countries or with the Orthodox majority.

Mikhail Afanasiev: The Balkan Peninsula is important to Russia. We don't hide this. Russia has long been present in the Balkans, not the last 30-40 years, but for several centuries. It would be wrong to say that we develop relations only with Orthodox countries, as among our biggest partners is mainly Turkey. Of course, we have close relations with Greece. The countries of the former Yugoslavia are also among our successful partners. Therefore, it cannot be said that Russia has a selective orientation towards specific states in this region. With someone, relationships are better, someone else is not. Russia is interested in the region, which is not far from our borders, to reign in peace, stability, tranquillity and economic prosperity. For us this is important both from our security point of view and from the perspective of economic co-operation, with mutual benefits, with all countries in the region. We are all neighbours, part of a region where the Black Sea lies, by the way, Albania is also a member of the Black Sea Economic Co-operation Organisation. We are partners in worldwide organizations such as O SBE. All countries in the region are aimed at EU accession, which is Russia's largest economic partner. Given that view, peace, stability and co-operation are our only interest in the Balkan region.