Serbia appreciates Lankan support on Kosovo issue

Serbia was very appreciative of Sri Lanka’s firm position against the setting up of Kosovo as a separate state, which move was a threat to the principles of national sovereignty President Boris Tadic of Serbia said in discussions with President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday. The two leaders of Serbia and Sri Lanka had bi-lateral discussions at Sharm El Sheik, Egypt, where both are present to attend the 15th NAM Summit.

President Rajapaksa said that Sri Lanka re-affirmed solidarity with Serbia and remained firmly opposed to the setting up of Kosovo as it threatened the international order.

The Sri Lankan President said that there could be no right for countries to be formed by secession, which was in violation of the UN Charter and the principles of national sovereignty.

President Tadic informed President Rajapaksa that Serbia had taken up the issue of the Kosovo secession with the International Court of Justice, and that already 36 countries had already made oral representation at the ICJ on the matter, with a majority being against the secessionist move.

This had created a high degree of interest in the world on the issue of secession and its dangerous consequences, the two leaders agreed.

There were also understandings reached on the improvement of trade and commerce between Serbia and Sri Lanka, especially on tourism and cultural exchanges.