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People of Serbia confirm that Kosovo is integral part of Serbia

Belgrade, Oct 31, 2006 - Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said today during discussions with the US Special Envoy for Kosovo talks, Ambassador Frank Wiesner that the people of Serbia voted for the new Constitution of their own free and sovereign will and clearly confirmed that Kosovo-Metohija is an integral and inalienable part of Serbia, in line with the UN Charter.

Kostunica underlined that the Constitution was voted for at the referendum under the strictest rules and that more than half of the registered voters voted for it, which unambiguously confirms that a national consensus has been reached in the adoption of the new Constitution.

The Prime Minister said that after the confirmation of the Constitution of Serbia, every solution for the future status of Kosovo-Metohija has to be in line with principles of international law, especially with the UN Charter, which guarantees sovereignty and territorial integrity of all UN member states.

Kostunica said that he expects the US, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, to only support the solution which is in line with the rules of international law.

The Prime Minister stated that only the Security Council can approve a solution for Kosovo-Metohija and that a one-sided recognition of Kosovo's independence would be null and void, stressing that all states are obliged to respect the decisions and resolutions of the UN Security Council.

Kostunica expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari has so far not managed to secure negotiations that would lead to agreement and compromise.

The fact that during the past year, Ahtisaari only once attended the talks on Kosovo's future status is also very worrying, the Prime Minister said.

Kostunica reiterated that Serbia wants Kosovo-Metohija to get substantial autonomy based on clear democratic principles.

The Prime Minister said that Serbs and ethnic Albanians have lived together for centuries and that only separatists claim that a life together is not possible.

A good, just and sustainable solution can be reached only if all of us abide by the UN Charter, the Prime Minister concluded.

Ambassador Wiesner said that the US would like that the solution for Kosovo-Metohija be reached by the end of the year.