Putin: Kosovo is Serbian territory

SOURCE: TANJUG, VEČERNJE NOVOSTI

MOSCOW, KIEV -- Vladimir Putin has told SPC Patriarch Irinej that Russia will continue to argue in the international arena that Kosovo is legally a Serbian territory.


During a meeting he had with the Serbian patriarch in the Kremlin last week, the Russian president said that Russia will not recognize the self-proclaimed republic of Kosovo created through a violation of UNSC Resolution 1244 and all norms of international law, Večernje Novosti, a Belgrade-based daily, reported.

Moscow will continue to consistently support Serbia in the righteous fight to preserve its territory, population and churches in Kosovo and Metohija, the Russian president said.

After speeches were given by representatives of delegations of Orthodox churches, including a speech by His Holiness Irinej, Putin spoke about ten minutes of troubles faced by the Serb people in Kosovo and Metohija.

The Serbian patriarch was very pleased with the talks, as he learned that the president of Russia is well informed about the sufferings of the Serbs and other non-Albanian population in Kosovo, Večernje Novosti reported.

"Putin confirms support"
Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić met with President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin on Saturday, and the Russian president reiterated the Russian government's full support for Serbia's efforts to finish the work that it has begun.

“I discussed all the issues with President Putin. There are no open issues - all are being dealt with, faster or slower, but we enjoy complete support and approval of Russia to finish the job we started in both our negotiations with the institutions in Priština and in our society reform,” said Nikolić.

Nikolić told Tanjug that he and Putin discussed all matters relevant to the relations between Russia and Serbia.

According to Nikolić, it is obvious that the Russian side is interested in Serbia succeeding, "since Russia is Serbia's huge partner”

Asked when Putin might visit Belgrade, Nikolić said that the Russian president will probably visit Serbia when the construction works on the South Stream gas pipeline section through Serbia begin.

“We have made arrangements for the visit, and now the governments of Russia and Serbia need to create the conditions for works on the South Stream to begin as soon as possible,” said Nikolić.

Nikolić met with Putin in Kiev, where they both attended the celebrations of the 1025th anniversary of Baptism of Kievan Rus', the medieval kingdom that laid the Orthodox foundation for modern-day Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine.