UNITED NATIONS, November 14. /TASS/. The dialogue between Serbia and unrecognized republic of Kosovo under EU auspices is the state of deep conceptual crisis, Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya said on Wednesday.
"We have to confirm that the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina under EU mediation remains in the state of deep conceptual crisis," Nebenzya said at the UN Security Council session on Kosovo settlement. "The absence of any meaningul results after contacts between the sides serves as evidence of that."
"Work has still not started on moving toward the set ambitious goal of developing a comprehensive agreement on normalizing relations," he added. "The main problem is that the earlier key agreement on forming an association of Serbian municipalities in Kosovo is not being implemented," the diplomat said.
At the same time, Nebenzya noted Belgrade's constructive position and willingness to search for mutually acceptable settlement options. "However, Pristina probably hopes that Serbia will give in to external pressure and recognize Kosovo's so-called independence. Moreover, in response to recent compromise suggestions put forward by the Serbian leadership, Kosovar Albanian leaders made unilateral claims for large territories in Serbia's south," he reminded.
Kosovo's parliament has unilaterally declared the territory's independence in February 2008. In 2010 UN International Court of Justice recognized this decision as legitimate. The Republic of Kosovo is currently recognized by 105 countries, while Pristina claims that the number stands at 117.Over 60 countries oppose Kosovo's recognition as an independent state including Russia, Israel, India, China and five EU member countries. In the last months Belgrade and Pristina have been discussing a compromise solution to the issue of revising borders and exchanging territories.