As for the status of Kosovo province, we are in favor of a negotiated solution between the two parts. More, we do not think that the establishment of a term for the end of negotiations between the Serbians and the Kosovo people is productive, because after the dead line we can not speak about any other solution but that of the unilateral decisions stated the Defense Minister Teodor Melescanu after the meeting he had in Belgrade with his Serbian counterpart Dragan Sutanovac.

In my opinion, stated Minister Melescanu, in the Romanian Parliament there will be not, soon, a majority to acknowledge an unilateral act such as the declaration of independency of Kosovo province.

As regarding the Romanian participation within KFOR, the Defense Minister also stated: We maintain our presence in Kosovo and if necessary, we will very seriously analyze even to supplement the forces. For us, stated the Romanian Defense Minister, is very important to be implied in the efforts for the state of security and stability not only in the remote areas such as Iraq or Afghanistan, but also in the vicinity of our borders.

Minister Teodor Melescanu had talks with the Serbian Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac on the cooperation between the two armed forces within the Partnership for Peace, cooperation within the regional initiatives and participation in DANUBE GUARD 2007 common exercise. We appreciate the very good cooperation in military training, military education, military medicine and human resources stated Teodor Melescanu.

During the visit, today, December 11, in Belgrade, the Romanian Defense Minister met the Minister of Externals of the Republic of Serbia, Vuk Jeremik.

MoD Press Office