Address to the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe by H.E. Mr. Vuk Jeremić, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, Vienna, 10 September 2008

VIENNA, 10 September 2008 – The Foreign Minister of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Vuk Jeremic, addressed a Special Meeting of the Permanent Council of the OSCE this afternoon and presented his vision of how the principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act can guide the participating States to “forge the end of history in Europe” in this generation.

Foreign Minister Jeremic went on to remark that Serbia is committed to continue “contributing to the restoration of stability in our part of the OSCE space in the aftermath of Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence (UDI).”

Serbia’s response to the attempt to forcibly partition a member State of the United Nations has been a responsible one. Serbia has pursued a “peaceful and diplomatic” approach to the Kosovo issue such as submitting a draft resolution to the UN General Assembly that would ask the International Court of Justice to issue an advisory opinion on the legality of Kosovo’s UDI, and pledged “work hard with international community to try and construct an outcome we can all support” on the framework of Europe’s presence in Serbia’s southern province of Kosovo.

Minister Jeremic addressed some the issues facing the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, and expressed his regret that Serbia, as the host country, was not adequately consulted by the Chairmanship in the Head of Mission selection process, as required by OSCE procedures.

“We believe the only remedy to this stalemate is to begin anew. Serbia therefore requests of the Finnish Chairmanship to swiftly call for new nominations to be proposed by the participating States”, he said.

Foreign Minister Jeremic added his assurances to the Permanent Council that “the Republic of Serbia remains dedicated to act in a constructive and cooperative manner. We look forward to working with the Chairmanship, the Secretary General, the Troika and the participating States. I am confident that a rapid consensus will emerge on the most suitable candidate for the job, paving the way for his or her appointment, free of controversy.”