Moscow: The Russian Ministry of Foreign affairs stated yesterday that Russia would cooperate with EULEX in Kosovo only if is a part of the United Nations (UN) mission UNMIK. The Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov said on Monday that Moscow wants the official approval from Belgrade and of the United Nations (UN) Security Council for the deployment of the EU mission in the province.

Seriously concerned over the decision of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the beginning of UNMIK’s reconfiguration, Titov said, Moscow is “in principle not opposed to the strengthening of the EU role in Kosovo, having in mind the aspirations of Balkan states, including Serbia, to join the EU.”

But he said, “However, that role should be realized within international law, and the corresponding EU structures should be incorporated into the UN Mission with the approval of Belgrade, and, in keeping with that, with the approval of the UN Security Council.”

“Under such circumstances, we could cooperate productively with the EU mission as a part of UNMIK. Underscoring that it is not clear why Russia’s partners “persistently do not want to abide by the rules,” Titov said.

The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister maintained that the European structures - EULEX, EU Special Representative Pieter Feith, and the International Steering Group for Kosovo are not legal. Titov pointed out that “in taking a one-sided approach, they are not working for stability in the region but for the reinforcement of the conflict potential.”