Chief political leaders of the Republic of Kosovo, President Fatmir Sejdiu and Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi, in an extraordinary press conference held on Monday evening have stated that they categorically reject the deployment of EULEX in Kosovo as neutral or out of the Ahtisaari Plan, as Belgrade has conditioned for deployment of the EU mission in northern Kosovo.

“EULEX can be deployed in Kosovo only in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo and the Ahtisaari Plan,” said Kosovo’s PM and president.

The proposition fundamentally violates the substance of sovereignty and integrity of the territory of the Republic of Kosovo , was the cardinal argument of President Sejdiu and Prime Minister Thaçi.

"The Republic of Kosovo has one of the most democratic constitutions in Europe based on the Ahtisaari Plan which guarantees the rights of all its citizens and offers a broad self-governing provision to minorities, such decentralization (local government, local police, etc.) religions site protection, etc. Its constitution has been amended with assistance of the most democratic nations and there is no need for other provisional plans. EULEX can be deployed in Kosovo only in accordance with Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo and Ahtisaari Plan. No other plans or provisions are acceptable for Kosovo. This crosses the solid red line, fundamentally violating the sovereignty and integrity of the territory of the Republic of Kosovo, which we will not accept under any circumstances," says the statement.

The proposal by Belgrade foresees in substance to remove the fundamental provisions of the Ahtisaari Plan and reinforce the defunct resolution 1244 as a fundamental organ of the political, territorial and administrative functioning of Kosovo, which was prior to February 17, by creating evident preconditions for the ethnic-territorial administrative partition of Kosovo. 

Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu and Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi say Serbian demands for control over police, customs and justice system in primarily Serb areas of Kosovo are "unacceptable."

“We are for dialogue and contribution to the EULEX deployment throughout Kosovo as soon as possible, in respecting the project of President (Martti) Ahtisaari, the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo… Kosovo republican institutions consider that substantial elements of the six-point document presented are not acceptable for Kosovo…,” President Fatmir Sejdiu said on Monday evening in a press conference in Prishtina, reading a joint statement with Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi.

In addition, the Parliament of the Republic of Kosovo in a press conference said that they support deployment of EULEX only in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo and the Ahtisaari plan. Provisional elements of 6 points conditioned by Belgrade for control over police, customs and justice systems in primarily Serb areas of Kosovo are "unacceptable."

 

The Parliament of Kosovo supports the implementation of the Ahtisaari Plan which offers large self-governing for minorities, particularly Serbs.

"Kosovo is a sovereign and independent nation and as such will protect its territorial integrity by all means," was the statement of the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Kosovo, Jakup Krasniqi.

Issues regarding EULEX can be discussed only with institutions of the Republic of Kosovo; all other discussions out of Kosovar government frames are unacceptable, invalid and against the sovereignty of Kosovo, said the leaders of all major political parties of the Kosovo Parliament. If the government signs anything, some of those leaders said that they bring down the government.

Other outspoken parties and leaders rejecting the deal being discussed without the participation of Kosovo government Veton Surroi and his ORA party, AAK of Ramush Haradinaj, ARK of Behxhet Pacolli and Albin Kurti of the Vetevendosje! Movement.

The Republic of Kosovo is a sovereign country, located in Southeastern Europe with population of 2.2 million.