Post by Novi Pazar on Aug 5, 2008 0:03:02 GMT -5
UK: Serbia’s initiative at the ICJ is a direct challenge to the EU
British Ambassador to Serbia Stephen Wordsworth has said that Belgrade's initiative to request the interpretation of legality of the unilaterally declared independence from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) would be a direct challenge to the European Union.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Monday, August 04, 2008
The British ambassador said that the idea on annulling Kosovo's independence was a "dangerous self-deception" because most EU members had recognized the province's independence and such a situation "would not be reversed".
The ambassador also believes that Serbia's announced initiative to request an ICJ opinion on the legality of Kosovo's unilateral independence would be a mistake.
"An initiative at the Court seems like a direct challenge to us", he said and added that the process would attract a lot of public attention and it would be difficult to cooperate on the EU integration, while being in confrontation.
A judicial process would focus too much on our differences, which we should find a way to keep on one side, while we cooperate on the other and this is why we think this is a mistake, the British ambassador said.
Meanwhile, Serbia's Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said that that although some of the most powerful countries in the world will be against the ICJ initiative, Belgrade will secure support from the necessary 96 UN members to seek the court's opinion.
The ICJ decision in the case will not be binding, but should Belgrade's argument that the secession declaration was violating international law receive backing, "it could slow down or halt the wave of recognitions".
British Ambassador to Serbia Stephen Wordsworth has said that Belgrade's initiative to request the interpretation of legality of the unilaterally declared independence from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) would be a direct challenge to the European Union.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Monday, August 04, 2008
The British ambassador said that the idea on annulling Kosovo's independence was a "dangerous self-deception" because most EU members had recognized the province's independence and such a situation "would not be reversed".
The ambassador also believes that Serbia's announced initiative to request an ICJ opinion on the legality of Kosovo's unilateral independence would be a mistake.
"An initiative at the Court seems like a direct challenge to us", he said and added that the process would attract a lot of public attention and it would be difficult to cooperate on the EU integration, while being in confrontation.
A judicial process would focus too much on our differences, which we should find a way to keep on one side, while we cooperate on the other and this is why we think this is a mistake, the British ambassador said.
Meanwhile, Serbia's Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said that that although some of the most powerful countries in the world will be against the ICJ initiative, Belgrade will secure support from the necessary 96 UN members to seek the court's opinion.
The ICJ decision in the case will not be binding, but should Belgrade's argument that the secession declaration was violating international law receive backing, "it could slow down or halt the wave of recognitions".