STATEMENT

Concerning the recent agreement between the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government in Pristina and the Government of the United Kingdom by which members of the Kosovo Security Forces are assigned to the UK Armed Forces infantry company in Falkland Islands, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia is expressing protest, underlining that this arrangement stands in stark contrast to the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999), as well as the relevant resolutions of the UN General Assembly concerning the peaceful settlement of the Falkland Islands dispute.

We are especially surprised that such a step comes from a permanent member of the Security Council, the highest UN body in charge of preserving international peace and security.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia wishes to advise the international community about far-reaching negative consequences of such unilateral acts by Pristina, as well as other countries that support them, when it comes to the process of militarisation of the so-called Kosovo Security Forces, with the aim of reaching their military operational offensive capabilities.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia calls once again on all UN members to strictly observe and fully implement the UN Security Council Resolution 1244, which is the only international legal framework that governs the situation in Kosovo and Metohija. The consistent and active operation of the international presence in Kosovo and Metohija is very important for the Republic of Serbia, especially now when the security situation on the ground has deteriorated.

The Republic of Serbia is still committed to seeking a compromise solution through political dialogue and believes that steps such as these or similar do not contribute to the appeasement of the situation.

In Belgrade, December 6, 2022