Serbia should have signed SAA earlier; the problems following Kosovo’s unilateral independence declaration could have been avoided by earlier signing of the SAA, stated the Foreign Minister of Russia, Sergei Lavrov in Luxemburg.

According to RIA (Russian Information Agency), Lavrov said, “Better late than never,” but that “it would have been better for European security if the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) had been signed between the European Union and Serbia earlier.”

The Russian Foreign Minister said, “I am convinced today, that had not so many years been wasted on discussions about how to deal with Serbia’s European perspective, we would not have the problems that we’ve got from Kosovo’s illegal independence declaration and recognition. All of this could have been solved much more easily and more effectively.”

Lavrov said that some “mutually acceptable solution” for settling Kosovo’s status should be found. Speaking at a press conference last night with EU High Representative Javier Solana, Lavrov said, “We have different views over Kosovo, and we’ve said this very frankly to our EU colleagues. We believe that there is still hope of reaching a mutually acceptable solution for Kosovo.”

Russia and the EU also discussed the tensions in the Georgian separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. According to Solana’s view, “The EU supports Georgia’s territorial integrity.”