Mr. President,

I wish to thank Special Representative Tanin for his briefing and welcome Serbian Foreign Minister Mr. Selaković for his presence and statement at the meeting today. I have listened very carefully to Ms. Gërvalla’s remarks.

The Kosovo issue is essential to peace and stability in the Balkans and to Europe as a whole. It is important that Serbia and Kosovo work within the framework of the Security Council resolution 1244 to find a solution acceptable to both parties through dialogue and consultation. In this process, Serbia’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity should be fully respected.

Over the past six months, relations between Serbia and Kosovo have been stable in general. Progress has been made in energy transmission and border management. China welcomes this positive development. Due to the political turmoil in Kosovo, dialogue between the two sides has been stalled since December last year. China looks forward to the resumption of dialogue ASAP and appreciates the willingness on the part of Serbia for the talk. The results of the previous dialogue must also be implemented. Kosovo should follow the Brussels agreement and make effective efforts as early as possible to promote the establishing of the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities. As the Coordinator of the Serbia-Kosovo relationship, the EU should play a facilitating role in this regard.

Strengthening unity among ethnic groups is the only way to achieve peace and stability in Kosovo. The COVID-19 pandemic poses a threat to the health of people of all ethnic groups in both sides. Both parties should turn the fight against the pandemic into an important opportunity to strengthen unity and cooperation and achieve peaceful coexistence. According to the SG’s report, with the political turmoil, pandemic prevention and control was relaxed, leading to sharp increase of infections. When Serbia provided vaccines to area in Kosovo inhabited by Kosovo serbs, the Kosovo authorities reacted strongly which came as a surprise. The international community should make sure that vaccines are fairly distributed and vaccine gaps eliminated. It should also make sure that there's no man-made obstacles to vaccination. We should reach as many people as possible without any barriers. Vaccines are important for people's lives and health. Extensive vaccination should be done in a way that helps increase mutual trust among all ethnic groups.

China appreciates the work done by UNMIK under the leadership of Special Representative Tanin. We support UNMIK’s continued efforts to perform its duties as a coordinator in accordance with its mandate. China also calls on relevant parties to fully protect the safety of UN personnel and create favorable conditions for UNMIK to perform its duties.

Mr. President,

Just now, we discussed the relevant meeting arrangement for today. We regret that certain incidents happened today. The Chinese delegation respects your decision that today's meeting is carried out in an informal way, and the backdrop of the relevant party does not have any special meaning. At the same time, I wish to reiterate that the goal of the Security Council discussions on the Kosovo issue is to increase the mutual trust between the two sides and promote solution of the Kosovo issue within the framework of 1244 resolution ASAP. Creating confrontation and problems runs contrary to the intention of the Security Council's discussion on this issue and is not helping its resolution. We do not hope to see any similar incidents in the future.

Thank you, Mr. President.