Serbia must have the last word on Kosovo – Russian president Medvedev
No one can say that the issue of Kosovo has been resolved until Serbia has had the last word, Russian president Dmitry Medvedev told journalists ahead of his October 20 2009 visit to Belgrade, Serbian and Russian news agencies reported.
"Despite the efforts of supporters of Kosovo’s independence, they will not be able to present it as an irreversible process, and close the issue. We want to show step by step, that the alternative of the legal will exists," Medvedev said.
Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in February 2008, a move rejected by Serbia as illegal. Russia is backing Serbia in its International Court of Justice case against Kosovo’s independence being viewed as legitimate.
In an interview with Belgrade daily Vecernje Novosti, Medvedev spoke of his determination to build on the ties between Serbia and Russia: "Serious work is ahead to strengthen, through joint efforts, not only the foundation of our cooperation, but also to spur a better uncovering of its rich potential for the long term".
Serbia and Russia, Medvedev said, "already have a very rich experience of co-operation based on centuries-long traditions and mutual attachment of our peoples. We are linked through common goals and mutual pragmatic interests".
In addition to joint energy projects, his visit would see discussions on co-operation in the areas of transport, cultural, humanitarian, scientific and technological co-operation, Medvedev said.
Last week, Russian energy giant Gazprom and Serbia's state gas company initialled an agreement to set up a joint venture to develop a Serbian underground gas depot. The agreement was part of a bilateral governmental deal on co-operation in the oil and gas sector sealed between the two countries in 2008, RIA Novosti said.
During his visit, Medvedev will attend celebrations of the 65th anniversary of the World War 2 liberation of Belgrade from Nazi Germany.
His visit will be the first by a Russian head of state since Vladimir Putin went to Belgrade in 2001.
