Source: B92
The opening of the UNESCO General Conference on Tuesday (Tanjug)
A chance to talk and conduct dialogue instead of making unilateral decisions - that was Dacic's presentation to UNESCO members of Serbia's wishes when it comes to Kosovo's proposed membership.
In the event the process came to a vote, Dacic asked all countries to vote against, because they would otherwise breach international law.
"I appeal on you to postpone the debate on this issue in UNESCO and let us give a chance to dialogue, because it is the only way reach a mutually acceptable solution on this matter, and thereby avoid further divisions, politicization and confrontation within UNESCO. This approach is also in the spirit of the principles on which this organization was founded, and we are convinced, in the best interests of regional stability and cooperation," Dacic said.
The minister in this way also responded to Kosovo Foreign Minister Hashim Thaci's statement that "Serbia should support Kosovo's membership," and also, "look to the future of peace, reconciliation and respect for cultural and historic values."
With the message that Serbia believes in the noble mission of UNESCO, Dacic said his country "thus also safeguards the moral credibility of this organization":
"UNESCO should not make political decisions about statehood. In particular, it must not be allowed that the organization is put in the function of affirmation of the illegal and unilaterally declared independence of a part of the territory of a UN member-state, whose sovereignty and territorial integrity is guaranteed by a valid and legally binding UN Security Council resolution," Dacic said.
The Serbian minister pointed out that the request of the so-called "Republic of Kosovo" was unprecedented in the history of the organization, and that Serbia was defending international law by opposing it.
Dacic pointed out that the meeting of the Executive Board last month "also showed all the controversy of the issue, but also the deep divisions among the members."
"This is undoubtedly confirmed by the fact that out of the 58 members of that body, a majority, 31 of them, in fact did not support the adoption of the recommendation (to allow Kosovo to join)," said Dacic.
He added that Serbia "does not want to isolate anyone - but it is a fact that Kosovo and Metohija participate in the activities of the organization, only in a status-neutral manner, in accordance with (UNSC) Resolution 1244."
And while the foreign minister was presenting his arguments in Paris, the Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Irinej addressed the issue of Pristina's UNESCO bid for the second time in as many days, this time via the Church's website.
"The Serbian Patriarchate calls all pious and Orthodox people, all people of good will and everyone who cares about the rights and justice in the world, to oppose the so-called state of Kosovo's membership in UNESCO, which threaten to cause a humanitarian disaster and destruction of Serbian Orthodox shrines and thus the UNESCO world's heritage," the message said.
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