Russia & CIS General Newswire
December 24, 2007 Monday 1:38 PM MSK
Russia to recognize Kosovo only in case of Belgrade/Pristina consent
MOSCOW Dec 24
Russia is ready to recognize an independent Kosovo only if this
independence gains support of Belgrade and Pristina, First Deputy
Foreign Minister Andrei Denisov told a Monday press conference in
Moscow.
"Russia is ready to accept any solution coordinated by the sides.
If they separate quietly, just like the Czech Republic and Slovakia
or like Serbia and Montenegro, let them do it," he said.
Russia is being guided with the same principles in the question of
frozen conflicts in the CIS, including Karabakh, he said.
"Obviously, everything depends on the consent of the sides," Denisov
said.
"Unsettled conflicts on the CIS territory do not make things easier.
This is true for all other conflicts, as well," he said.
Russia & CIS General Newswire
December 24, 2007 Monday 1:56 PM MSK
Russia to recognize Kosovo only in case of Belgrade/Pristina consent
(Part 2)
MOSCOW Dec 24
Russia is ready to recognize an independent Kosovo only if this
independence gains support of Belgrade and Pristina, First Deputy
Foreign Minister Andrei Denisov told a Monday press conference in
Moscow.
"Russia is ready to accept any solution coordinated by the sides.
If they separate quietly, just like the Czech Republic and Slovakia
or like Serbia and Montenegro, let them do it," he said.
Russia is being guided with the same principles in the question of
frozen conflicts in the CIS, including Karabakh, he said.
"Obviously, everything depends on the consent of the sides," Denisov
said.
"Unsettled conflicts on the CIS territory do not make things easier.
This is true for all other conflicts, as well," he said.
The decision on Kosovo’s status does not mean that it will be
automatically applied to conflicts on post-Soviet territory, Denisov
said.
"We say that possible independence of Kosovo will set a precedent,
but we also bear in mind international laws and opinions of parties
to a particular conflict. Naturally, nothing can be applied
automatically," he said.
As for the frozen conflicts in Georgia, Denisov said, Russia "has
always recognized the territorial integrity of Georgia." te dp