Office for Kosovo and Metohija
Government of the Republic of Serbia

Serbian PM sends letter to UNESCO members

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic sent a letter to all UNESCO members on Sunday, in which he expressed concern over the requests for Kosovo to be granted membership in the organisation, and noted that such an appeal is unfounded from the standpoint of international law.

In keeping with the legally binding Resolution 1244 which the UN Security Council adopted in 1999 and the Constitutional Framework for Provisional Self-Government, Kosovo-Metohija is a territory under UN administration within Serbia's borders, Vucic said.

The issue of Kosovo-Metohija is still on the UN Security Council's agenda, as confirmed by regular quarterly sessions concerning the matter, Vucic said and added that the UN Interim Administration Mission (UNMIK) headed by the special representative of the UN secretary general is still deployed in Kosovo-Metohija.

Vucic noted that a review of the request for Kosovo's UNESCO membership would constitute gross violation of regulations adopted under UN auspices in view of preserving international peace and security.

Vucic stated that Kosovo's admission into UNESCO would create a dangerous precedent because it would be contrary to UN Charter Article 25 which notes that UN members agree to take on and execute Security Council decisions in keeping with the Charter.

Serbia has demonstrated full commitment to the search for a solution to all open issues with Pristina by peaceful means and dialogue, and it is against any politicisation of UNESCO as its mission should be aimed at promotion of cooperation between countries through education, science and culture, states the letter.

Vucic warned that unilateral attempts such as the request for UNESCO membership of the so-called Kosovo is violating the atmosphere conducive to the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue which is currently in a very delicate stage.

Vucic stated that the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue under EU auspices in Brussels has not so far covered protection of monuments of culture and property of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo-Metohija.

Serbia is still firmly committed to the dialogue with Kosovo Albanians and the search for a solution that would stabilise and normalise mutual relations, he noted.

Nevertheless, review of the request in UNSECO would practically prevent achievement of a mutually acceptable solution concerning the matter, Vucic said.

Prime Minister Vucic warned that Pristina has unambiguously demonstrated that it does not have either the abilities or the will to fulfil the obligations deriving from membership in the organisation.

Intentional and systematic vandalism and destruction of cultural and historical monuments are incompatible with UNESCO goals, and UNESCO itself has included four pearls of world heritage, comprising monasteries Decani, Patriarchy of Pec, Gracanica and Cathedral Church of the Most Holy Mother of God of Ljevis, in the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Destruction of Christian and cultural Serb heritage was never thoroughly investigated, nor has anyone been brought to justice to account for the crimes, the letter states.