UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has assessed that the overall situation in Kosmet is relatively calm, but he has also pointed to the delicate situation in the north of the Province.

Ban’s report for the period March 16-July 15 will be presented tonight in the UN Security Council by UNMIK Head Lamberto Zanier.

The Secretary General specifies that in June 24 he invited EU High Representative Catherine Ashton to investigate the remaining open issues relating to Kosmet.

I have suggested that the UN and EU agree on a joint approach, reminded Ban, while adding that Ashton had said the EU wished to help Belgrade and Pristina in their European integrations.

Ban Ki-moon has called upon all involved sides to stay calm and show a constructive approach, in order to avoid the situation escalating in northern Kosmet.

He has confirmed that the opinion of the International Court of Justice on Kosmet has been passed to the General Assembly, which will later take stand in relation to that issue.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic said that today’s session of the UN Security Council will be the first meeting at the UN on Kosovo-Metohija after the opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague was stated and will in a way represent the international community’s positions on the new circumstances.

Jeremic told Tanjug news agency that in addition to the regular review of UNMIK’s report and the extremely difficult situation of Serbs and other non-Albanian population in Kosovo-Metohija, we should use the opportunity to present state positions adopted last week in the Serbian parliament.

We will seek international support for starting dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, which will pave the way for a compromise solution for Kosovo-Metohija to be found, declared the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

He stressed that the unilateral declaration of independence cannot be a basis for normalising relations between Serbs and Albanians.

It is essential to preserve peace and stability in the entire territory of the province, where the UN Security Council continues to play a key role, added the Minister.

Yesterday and today in New York Jeremic met with ambassadors of member states of the UN Security Council that did not recognise Kosovo and asked them to present their principled stance on respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia during the debate.