(Photo by Li Muzi, Xinhua News Agency)

I would like to thank Mr. Tanin, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for his briefing. China welcomes to today’s meeting His Excellency Mr. Ivica Dačić, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Serbia, and thanks him for his statement. I have also listened attentively to the remarks of Ms. Vlora Çitaku.

China respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia, and we understand Serbia’s legitimate concerns with regard to the question of Kosovo. In our view, resolution 1244 (1999) is the principal legal basis for resolving that question. It is vital that in doing so we adhere to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and engage in dialogue and negotiations within the framework of the relevant Security Council resolutions, in order to reach a compromise settlement that is acceptable to all the parties.

The recent security situation has remained generally stable, but Kosovo is still dealing with complexities and uncertainties. China commends the efforts by the Government of Serbia to find a political solution to this issue, and welcomes the fact that the high-level political dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina has achieved progress and that existing agreements are being implemented. We support the ongoing efforts by both parties to maintain a pragmatic and constructive dialogue, effectively protect the legitimate rights of all of Kosovo’s ethnic groups and promote national reconciliation. We hope that the parties will refrain from any actions that might escalate or complicate the situation and that they continue to search for a lasting solution to the question of Kosovo in order to maintain security and stability in the Balkans and in Europe as a whole.

China commends the work being done by UNMIK under the leadership of Special Representative Tanin. We support its continued efforts to carry out the Security Council’s mandate, and we hope that the international presence in Kosovo, including UNMIK, the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) and the Kosovo Force (KFOR), will improve their coordination with a view to playing a positive and constructive role in achieving an appropriate settlement of the Kosovo issue.