Russian FM: EU mission to Kosovo violates international law

MOSCOW, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday that the European Union (EU) has violated the international law by sending its mission to Kosovo, local media reported.

"The EU mission is being sent there in violation of international law," Lavrov said after his talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babajan.

The EU is sending its mission to Kosovo unilaterally, without a sanction of the UN Security Council, with the task of ensuring the supremacy of law, Lavrov said, describing the fact as a "bitter irony."

"We are being told that Resolution No. 1244 is the basis for sending the EU mission and for the unilateral proclamation of Kosovo's independence. This is not true," Itar-Tass quoted the minister as saying.

Resolution No. 1244 mentions a transitional period, but it should last until the negotiating parties reach a final political settlement, Lavrov said.

Lavrov also noted that double standards have impeded the settlement in Cyprus and Kosovo.

As for the issue of Cyprus, everything is going in compliance with the international law, "but in Kosovo vice versa," said Lavrov.

It is common knowledge that the talks of seeking a political settlement for the Kosovo issue were artificially disrupted due to outside interference, he added.

Lavrov stressed that Serbia's territorial integrity was reiterated not only by Resolution No. 1244, but also by Resolution No. 1785 of the UN Security Council.

Spokesman of Russian Foreign Ministry also said on Wednesday that EU's move of sending mission to Kosovo lacks legal basis.

Kosovo, the breakaway province of Serbia, has been under the UN administration since 1999, and unilaterally declared its independence from Serbia on Feb. 17. Belgrade has said the proclamation is null and void.

Moscow warned the danger of such a move, saying it could undermine the foundation of global peace and stability that has been built over decades.

On Tuesday, Lavrov reiterated Russia's position on Kosovo's independence in a telephone conversation with United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, saying Russia will not acceptable Pristina's unilateral declaration of independence.