Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Putin, Nikolić discuss solution for Kosovo

SOCHI -- Russian and Serbian presidents Vladimir Putin and Tomislav Nikolić have agreed that the UN should have the primary role in the search for a solution for Kosovo.
Nikolić and Putin are seen in Sochi (Tanjug)
Nikolić and Putin are seen in Sochi (Tanjug)
The Russian president specified in Sochi on Tuesday that the solution should be sought based on UN Security Council Resolution 1244.
"Serbia is faced with the annulment of Kosovo's supervised independence," Nikolić told a news conference following the talks with Putin and added that Belgrade has launched talks with Priština's interim institutions so as to ensure a better life for the citizens, "but that it cannot take part in the talks that strengthen Kosovo's independence".

Nikolić underscored that Serbia "cannot allow any changes of the situation in Kosovo by force, because force was renounced as far back as in 1999":

"We will not do anything by force, but we will do everything within the UN Security Council," Nikolić said.

He said that Serbia is grateful to Russia and other UN Security Council members which have not recognized the illegal and unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo.

Putin reiterated that Russia is committed to the preservation of UN's primary role.

"We believe that a solution should be sought through talks, based Resolution 1244," the Russian president stated.

Russia's goal is the further development of economic, humanitarian and cultural ties with Serbia, so that cooperation can be raised to the level of strategic partnership, Putin also told reporters.

The main topics of discussion were trade and economic relations. Putin highlighted possibilities for further intensifying said relations, adding that Russian companies were ready to act as partners in the modernization of Serbia's energy sector.

"We tie prospects in the area of energy not only to Russian fuel delivery, but also to the realization of strategic, truly pan-European projects, such as the South Stream" natural gas pipeline, he said, Beta news agency reported.

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