MOSCOW, November 15 (RIA Novosti) - Serbia is planning to protect its national interests during upcoming talks on the final status of Kosovo, Serbian President Boris Tadic said Tuesday.
"Although we are not happy with the start of the talks on the status of Kosovo, Serbia is still going to join the negotiation process, understanding its responsibility for the situation in the region," Tadic told a Moscow news conference. "Serbia will protect its national interests in accordance with international principles, primarily with [UN Security Council] Resolution 1244, which recognizes Kosovo as part of Serbia."
According to the Serbian president, a regional rearrangement of borders and the provision of normal living conditions for Serbian residents in Kosovo are the issues that must be resolved first.
"Serbia respects and acknowledges the legitimate rights of Albanians in Kosovo," Tadic said. "However, we will strive to defend the legitimate interests of Serbian refugees as well."
Tadic also said he was against the further disintegration of eastern Europe and the Balkans but supported the accession of all eastern European countries to the European Union.
Technically part of Serbia-Montenegro, Kosovo became a UN protectorate in 1999 with the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1244.
The Albanian majority in Kosovo, accounting for about 90% of the province's population of about 1.9 million, has been pushing for full independence. Belgrade has made it clear, though, that it wants Kosovo to remain part of Serbia.
In October 2005, the UN Security Council endorsed beginning talks to determine the future of the disputed Serbian province that are expected to start later this month.
