Serbian Minister of Interior Nebojsa Stefanovic told Belgrade based Vecernje Novosti that Kosovo, in accordance with international law, including UN Security Council Resolution 1244, is an integral part of Serbia under the interim international administration of the UN.
Novosti writes that membership in Interpol is reserved only for countries, and that Kosovo is not a member of the UN nor has observer status at the UN General Assembly. The article goes on to state that Serbia points out that there is no single basis for considering ”the non-existent Republic of Kosovo” to be on the agenda of the forthcoming General Assembly meeting of Interpol, as well as that Serbia asks the Executive Committee to delete the item from the draft agenda.
From the letter, in which Vecernje Novosti had an insight, this argument and requests to the Interpol members were sent by the Minister of the Interior, Nebojsa Stefanovic.
Although clear guidelines for the admission of new members to this organization were adopted last year, during the General Assembly of Interpol in Beijing, by which countries seeking admission must now confirm that they meet all “necessary conditions of statehood”. But by the decision of the Interpol Executive Committee in March this year, Pristina’s request has been inserted into the preliminary agenda of the forthcoming General Assembly meeting, which follows in November in Dubai.
In his letter, Novosti writes, Stefanovic points out that “the demand of the so-called Kosovo” was not filed in accordance with the rules of Interpol, since Pristina withdrew its application last year and did not submit a new one by 31 January 2018. In addition, according to the procedure, Interpol members should be informed of the application for membership and should be given an opportunity to state their opinion before the Executive Committee considers the request, but that this possibility was missed in the case of the request of Pristina. Thus, during the March session of the Executive Committee, their request was included in the preliminary agenda of the 87th Session of the General Assembly.
Serbia also presented to the members of Interpol that ”the representatives of the so- called Kosovo provided a series of incorrect information”.
Namely, continues Novosti’s article, Pristina’s request states that “Kosovo declared independence on February 17, 2008” and that this is not a violation of international law, UNSC Resolution 1244 and the Constitutional Framework of UNMIK.
According to the rules of the World Police Organization, a two-thirds majority of voters are required for its enlargement, and there are currently 192 members in Interpol.
Cooperation only through UNMIK
This Belgrade based daily states that, on behalf of Kosovo, as a territory under international administration within the UN, only the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General is authorized. Interpol and UNMIK have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation – Stefanovic said in a letter to members of this organization, pointing out that “any other interpretation is a gross violation of international law.”
