Mr. President,

I thank Mr. Zahir Tanin, Special Representative of the Secretary General for Kosovo and USG Soares for their briefings. I welcome His Excellency Mr. Ivica Dačić, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia and thank him for his statement. I also listened to the statement of Ms. Citaku.

Resolution 1244 sets an important legal basis for the settlement of the Kosovo issue. Our position on the Kosovo issue is consistent and clear. We believe that, within the framework of relevant Security Council resolutions, parties concerned should reach a mutually acceptable solution through dialogue. We see this as the best way to resolve the Kosovo issue.

China respects Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We understand its legitimate concerns with regard to the Kosovo issue and commend its efforts to find a political solution to this issue.

Achieving accommodation, reconciliation and harmonious coexistence across all ethnicities in Kosovo is in the fundamental interest of people from all ethnic backgrounds and meets their needs for development.We hope that all parties concerned will put the well-being of their people first, refrain from any rhetoric or action that could complicate or escalate the situation, and build up conditions for a proper solution of the Kosovo issue to jointly maintain peace, stability and development in the Balkan region.

Mr. President,

As things stand now, it is important for the Security Council to remain seized of the Kosovo issue and encourage the two parties to carry out genuine dialogue so as to facilitate proper solution to the Kosovo issue. China supports the leadership of SRSG Tanin in ensuring UNMIK's mandate implementation and constructive cooperation with all parties. Recently the UNMIK staff were obstructed in their mandated work, to which China would like to express great concern and resolute opposition. The privileges, immunities and safety and security of UN personnel must be fully respected. Parties concerned should provide conditions for UNMIK to implement its mandate within the parameters of law.

Thank you, Mr. President.