Serbia hails Pak refusal to recognize Kosovo

ISLAMABAD, Mar 05: Serbia has sought Pakistan’s help to get an observer status in the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

“We have applied for an observer status in the OIC where Pakistan is an influential member. We are hoping that soon we will get an observer status,” Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said here on Thursday.

Mr Jeremic is the first Serbian foreign minister to visit Pakistan since independence of the country after break-up of Yugoslavia.

During his day-long visit, he called on Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

The Serbian minister praised Pakistan’s refusal to recognize Kosovo as an independent state.

In an interview with Dawn, Mr Jeremic said the International Court of Justice was expected to give its ruling on Kosvo’s secession in a few months. “As a result of our diplomatic efforts, two thirds of the world’s nations, including Pakistan, have not recognized the succession.

“We are grateful for this solidarity and support and we are now making history,” he said.

He said his country had the support of Russia, China, Britain, Brazil, Egypt and other countries on the Kosovo issue. “We have a firm stance on Kosovo. We are also firm that it is peacefully seen through, not through any confrontation.”

He said Serbia expected to sign several agreements with Pakistan, especially in the fields of trade, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, hydroelectric power, construction and defense.

“We will close the discussion on a number of bilateral agreements that will facilitate economic and cultural relations between our two countries.”

He said Serbia had decided to set up a scholarship fund for students from non-aligned countries, including Pakistan.

Source: The Pakistani Newspaper.
Link: http://thepakistaninewspaper.com/news_detail.php?id=16194.