President,

I welcome Foreign Minister Marko Đurić of Serbia to today’s meeting. I thank Deputy Special Representative Milbert Dongjoon Shin for his briefing. I would like to make four points. 

First, it is imperative to maintain social stability. For some time now, the situation in northern Kosovo has been volatile. The Kosovo authorities forced the closure of multiple institutions opened by the Serb community, targeted Serbs with violent searches, threats, and coercion, and forcibly built and opened the Ibar river bridge. These acts have violated the legitimate rights and interests of the Serbs and led to panic and tensions. China expresses grave concerns over these developments. We urge the Kosovo authorities to cease escalatory unilateral actions, earnestly safeguard the safety and legitimate rights and interests of the Serb community, and maintain peace and stability in the north. 

Second, it is imperative to make committed efforts to promote ethnic reconciliation. The complex ethnic relations in the Balkans have been shaped by history. Inclusion and reconciliation serve the long-term and fundamental interests of all communities. Lately, divisions simmered among parties over calls for parliamentary elections, underscoring the urgently needed ethnic reconciliation. We call on the Kosovo authorities to take seriously the basic appeals of all communities, including Serbs, in political, economic, cultural, and linguistic domains, and adopt proactive measures to foster a stronger sense of security, participation, and fulfillment, thus contributing to greater mutual trust and unity among communities. The 2013 Brussels agreement explicitly provides for the establishment of an association of Serb-majority municipalities, charting the course for harmonious coexistence between Serb and Albanian communities. The Kosovo authorities should expedite the implementation of relevant commitments. 

Third, it is imperative to steadfastly advance dialogue and negotiation. China welcomes the two EU-facilitated meetings between Serbia and Kosovo, and notes the challenges faced by the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue process. The crux of the issue lies in the Kosovo authorities’ longstanding unilateral actions and the ensuing mutual trust deficit and heightened ethnic antagonism. We look forward to the Kosovo authorities’ constructive measures to encourage engagements of the parties, bridge differences and division, and seek early political settlement of relevant issues. 

Fourth, it is imperative to firmly support the role of the UN. The UN’s presence is a strong guarantee for resolving the Kosovo issue. The Security Council should maintain attention to and input in the Kosovo issue and support UNMIK in playing its role for the stability and national reconciliation in Kosovo. The Kosovo authorities should earnest respect and ensure the safety and security of UNMIK personnel and premises and provide convenience for the Mission to conduct its work. 

President, 

China’s position on the Kosovo issue is consistent and clear. We support all parties concerned, within the framework of Council Resolution 1244, in reaching a mutually acceptable solution through dialogue and consultation. In this process, Serbia’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity should be fully respected. China stands ready to work with all parties to continue to promote dialogue, engagement, and peaceful coexistence among communities in the region and the early political settlement of the Kosovo issue. 

Thank you, President.