Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Wang Guangya expressed
"grave concern" on Monday over Kosovo's unilateral declaration of
independence, urging serious discussion on the matter and a
responsible response.
"China opposes unilateral actions and objects imposed solutions
by pressure," Wang told an emergency session of the UN Security
Council.
"China maintains all along that the best way to resolve the
issue of Kosovo status is for the two parties concerned to reach a
mutually acceptable solution through negotiations. This should be
the common goal of all the parties concerned," he said.
He also said the question of the status of Kosovo is not only an
emotional issue for the Kosovo Albanians and Kosovo Serbs, but also
bears on peace, security and stability of the Balkan region and
even Europe at large.
"China always stands for peaceful resolution of disputes through
political and diplomatic means, and supports a negotiated and
proper settlement of the issue of Kosovo status," the ambassador
said.
Noting that no substantive breakthrough was achieved during
months of negotiations, Wang urged all parties "to show sincerity
and flexibility, rather than giving up and even shutting the door
of negotiations because of their differences."
He warned that Kosovo's unilateral action may "rekindle
conflicts and turbulences in the region, which in turn would cause
serious humanitarian crisis and adversely impact the entire Balkan
region and beyond."
"China is deeply concerned over this," Wang said.
"The issue of Kosovo status does have its special nature.
Nevertheless, to terminate negotiations, give up pursuit of a
solution acceptable to both parties and replace such efforts with
unilateral action will certainly constitute a serious challenge to
the fundamental principles of international law," the ambassador
said.
He called on all relevant parties to "take full account of the
complexity and sensitivity of the Kosovo status issue and make a
sober assessment of the potential adverse implications of the
unilateral action for peace and stability in the region, act with
maximum prudence and do their utmost to preserve peace, security
and stability there."
Wang stressed that UN Security Council Resolution 1244 remains
the political and legal basis for the settlement of the Kosovo
issue, and that before the adoption of any new resolution by the
Security Council, "all efforts and actions for the settlement of
this issue should conform to the relevant provisions of Resolution
1244."
"If a resolution adopted by the Security Council is not observed
and implemented, the resolution in question would become a mere
scrap of paper; what's more, the authority and credibility of the
Security Council as the primary organ for safeguarding world peace
and security would be compromised," he said.
"This is not only the worry of China, but also that of the
international community," Wang said. "The Chinese government
therefore hopes that all members will show a responsible attitude
and consider and address this issue seriously and prudently."
Noting that China agrees that the future of both Serbia and
Kosovo lies in their eventual integration into Europe and
appreciates the EU's desire to play an active role on the Kosovo
issue, Wang said that China hopes that the EU will take into
account not only the interests of Serbia and Kosovo, but also the
concerns of other countries in the region.
"More importantly, it needs to pay attention to and uphold the
authority and role of the Security Council in resolving the Kosovo
issue. We hope the EU will make greater efforts to reconcile the
positions of Serbia and Kosovo, urge the two parties to continue
their dialogue, and encourage them to find a way out in the process
of seeking integration into Europe."
Wang said that China sincerely hopes that all parties concerned
will keep in mind the long-term interests of peace and security of
the Balkan region, Europe and the world at large, and conduct
candid negotiations and discussions for a constructive solution to
the issue of Kosovo status.
"The Security Council and the international community should
encourage Serbia and Kosovo to continue their pursuit of a mutually
acceptable solution through political and diplomatic means," he
added.
(Xinhua News Agency February 19, 2008)
