UN Representative Lamberto Zannier (pictured above) admits that peace in Kosovo remains tenuous, while the Kosovo FM calls independence from Serbia irreversible. Photo by BGNES
Kosovo Foreign Minister Skender Hyseni has declared that his country’s independence is "irreversible", and has refused to negotiate its status with Serbia.
Hyseni has also warned that any eventual renewal of negotiations would be certain to provoke new armed clashes of Albanians in the region.
Speaking at a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York on Friday evenng, Hyseni reiterated Kosovo's willingness to improve its relations with Serbia, but only as a dialogue between two independent sovereign states.
Serbian officials in Belgrade have reacted to Hyseni's statements, considering they represent a direct threat to their efforts to reach a solution for Kosovo.
Russia joined Serbia in strong criticism of plan "on the final solution of the issue on northern Kosovo" which is being prepared by the Kosovo authorities together with representatives of Western countries that have recognized the independence of Pristina from Belgrade.
Last week, Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci had said the development of the new strategy for northern Kosovo was being worked out with the participation of the International Civilian Office and was in its final stages. He had defined 2010 as "the year of the consolidation of the state".
Serbian President Boris Tadic had reacted strongly to this statement, stating that the actions of Pristina were "an unnecessary and dangerous provocation".
The UN Security Council has issued a detailed statement after their meeting.
"Northern Kosovo remains a flashpoint amid continuing tensions between Kosovo Serb and Kosovo Albanian communities there despite a greater understanding over reconstruction of destroyed housing by the communities."
"Even this peace remains tenuous," Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon's Special Representative Lamberto Zannier told the Security Council.
He continued: "It is clear that UNMIK (UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo) must continue to shepherd the reconstruction process and monitor the situation closely to ensure that all communities respect existing arrangements to preserve stability and that effective communication is maintained at all times."
"The longer-term stability and development of Kosovo lies in a successful process of reconciliation between the communities," Zannier concluded.
Kosovo unilaterally declared its independence from Serbia in February 2008. A total of 65 states worldwide have since recognized the Republic of Kosovo. 22 out of the 27 EU member states have taken this position, Bulgaria included, with 24 out of the 28 NATO members also supporting the country's independent status.