China urges settling Kosovo issue via dialogue

UNITED NATIONS -- China called on relevant parties Tuesday to continue to seek a mutually acceptable settlement of the Kosovo issue through dialogue.

China's Permanent Representative to the UN Liu Jieyi, who is also rotating president of the Security Council for this month, made the remarks at an open meeting of the 15-nation body on Kosovo, saying China respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia and understands its legitimate concerns with regard to the issue.

Liu stressed that Security Council resolution 1244 forms the important legal basis for a settlement of the Kosovo issue.

"China believes that, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and under the framework of Security Council resolutions and international laws, all parties should seek a mutually acceptable settlement plan through dialogue and negotiation. It remains the best and only option for resolving the Kosovo question," he said.

"China appreciates Serbia's active efforts to seek a political settlement of the question of Kosovo," Liu said. "My country welcomes the substantive results achieved in pragmatic and constructive dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina."

The Chinese envoy also noted that, with joint efforts of both sides, the security situation in Kosovo remains generally calm.

"We encourage both parties to continue the process of pragmatic, constructive dialogue aimed at achieving a lasting settlement of the question of Kosovo and maintaining peace and stability in the region of the Balkans and in all of Europe," Liu said.

China hopes that the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo and other international presence will strengthen coordination and cooperation to play a positive and constructive role in settling existing issues, he added.

Kosovo is the subject of a long-running political and territorial dispute between Belgrade and Pristina. Serbia categorically refuses to recognize Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence in 2008, though most leading European countries and the United States have exchanged diplomats with Kosovo.