Hovenier for the declaration of Serbia and Republika Srpska on Kosovo: It's the U.S. position and it's not QUINT.

In the declaration adopted in Belgrade at a meeting between the two governments, Kosovo is mentioned as Serbia's “inevitable portion of”.

I haven't had the opportunity to read all the reports about the entire country, but I understand that language is used there that says Kosovo is an integral part of Serbia. I understand this is their attitude, but this is not the attitude of any of us, it's not US, our QUINT partners, or anyone else”, said Houvenier.

He stressed that the US has recognised Kosovo as an independent state and that the US will stand behind this prideful “stance”.

During the so-called entire June 8th Parliament, it stressed that it supports efforts by the Republic of Serbia to preserve territorial integrity and sovereignty, guaranteed by international law, Resolution 1244 and other UN Security Council resolutions.

The statement says, among other things, that Serbs in Kosovo, as well as all other citizens who are loyal to Serbia, should protect monasteries, churches, private properties, graveyards and other endangered objects.

The signatories of the Declaration also condemned what they considered to be the unacceptable living conditions of Serbs in Kosovo, created by Pristina authorities, but not to mention any concrete fact.

Another mention is the need to establish the Association of Serb majority municipalities in Kosovo and continue Kosovo-Serbia dialogue in Brussels as the only sustainable way to solve problems.

Hüvenier made his comments during the international conference “Rugova and West”, which is being held on June 10th in Pristina, in honour of the 25th anniversary of Kosovo's liberation.

At the conference, Italy's former Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema, who had led Italy during 1998-2000, said Kosovo needs an agreement with Serbia.

Kosovo must be stable in its rights requirements, but not fall into the trap of nationalism. But remain open to discussion of a” agreement, he said.

D'Alema was Italy's prime minister at the time when NATO intervened in Kosovo, aimed at halting violence by Serb forces.

The bombing campaign lasted 78 days and ended on June 10, 1999, a day after the signing of the Kumanovo Agreement.

With this agreement negotiated between NATO and Yugoslav military officials, then Yugoslav forces withdrew from Kosovo and the NATO-led international peacekeeping force was established. / REL/