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Patriarch Alexius II, the current Patriarch of Moscow and of All-Russia and the primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, yesterday expressed support for the Serbia’s position on unilateral declaration of Kosovo independence.

The Czech Communist Party yesterday introduced in the parliament, a draft law which, if passed, would ban the government to recognize Kosovo’s independence, said the Czech Communist Party Whip Pavel Kovalcik.

Antonio Milososki, Macedonian Foreign Minister stated on Wednesday that his country, as far as the recognition of Kosovo’s unilaterally proclaimed independence was in question, was on standby.

Speaking for a Frankfurt-based Serbian-language daily yesterday, Jiri Dienstbier, former UN human rights rapporteur for former Yugoslavia and former Czech foreign minister said that he would never recognize Kosovo’s independence, if he were a Serbian politician.

Serbia’s main ally, Russia yesterday said that unilateral declaration of independence is dangerous for Balkan peace. Russia said that Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence could lead to new conflicts in the Balkans.

Vladimir Chizhov, the Russian Ambassador to the EU, said yesterday that Russia publicly warns the EU not to deploy its EULEX mission in Kosovo.

Ramush Haradinaj, former guerrilla leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and former prime minister of Kosovo, yesterday advised Albanian political representatives from the Presevo Valley to take part in the elections in Serbia on May 11.

Vitaly Churkin, Russia’s UN Ambassador said yesterday that Moscow expects the UN mission in Kosovo to remain neutral regarding the May elections in Serbia.

Belgrade: Vojislav Kostunica, the Prime Minister of Serbia and the President of the Democratic Party of Serbia, said that he would support signing the SAA if “a clause saying Kosovo, a constituent and inalienable part of Serbia” is added to it.

Slobodan Samardzic, the Minister for Kosovo-Metohija in Government of Serbia, called on UNMIK Chief Joachim Ruecker to let the local elections in Kosovo be organized by the Serbian authorities.