Russia won't support Kosovo solution imposed on Belgrade - foreign minister
BBC Monitoring Former Soviet Union (Political) - June 6, 2007, Wednesday

Text of report by Russian news agency Interfax

Gorky-8, Moscow Region, 6 June: Russia will not support a solution to the status of Kosovo that is imposed on Belgrade, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said.

"We cannot agree on a solution that is imposed on Belgrade," Lavrov said at a news conference following talks with his Serbian counterpart Vuk Jeremic.

"A compromise is possible if international law and the equality of the sides' interests are observed. If Belgrade and Pristina agree to such a compromise, we will support it," Lavrov said.

He said that Russia is in complete solidarity with the Serbian leadership's stance on Kosovo. "Serbia has proposed to continue talks, and we actively support this proposal," Lavrov said.

He also drew attention to the fact that UN Security Council Resolution 1244, which was adopted earlier, and the standards for Kosovo approved by the international community have not been fulfilled.

"We believe it necessary to establish the format for further talks with well-balanced international mediation. The result of these talks should be reported to the UN Security Council," Lavrov said.

Asked whether Kosovo will be discussed at the G8 summit in Germany, Lavrov said: "At the G8 summit any topic the leaders feel necessary to raise with their colleagues can be discussed. We are ready for the discussion".

Commenting on reports that this week the USA allegedly intends to propose its draft resolution on Kosovo in the UN Security Council, Lavrov said: "If the American side has a position that envisages certain actions this week or next week, we also have a position that we confirmed with the Serbian foreign minister today".

Source: Interfax news agency, Moscow, in Russian 0914 gmt 6 Jun 07

Copyright 2007 British Broadcasting Corporation
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