Serbia willing to improve its relations with Turkey

The ambassador of Serbia said his return after almost eight months did not mean his country had withdrawn its objection to Ankara's recognition of an independent Kosovo.   Â

Serbia recalled its ambassador to Ankara, Vladimir Curgus, in a show of protest shortly after Turkey became one of the first countries to recognize the breakaway region's independence in February.

"I must say it is an illegal decision by Kosovo to declare independence. But Turkey is responsible for its own decisions," Curgus told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review in his first interview with the media after returning in late October.

He said he came back, "not because we accept the recognition, but because Serbia wants to make relations with Ankara better than they are at the moment."

The ambassador said, "Turkey is a very important country in the region and a member of the United Nations Security Council. It is very active in all regional initiatives. We want to have good relations with Turkey. I came to build our relationship in all areas."

But he said their difference with the Turkish government on the Kosovo issue remained unresolved.

"No, we have not closed the (Kosovo) file," he said. "We do not agree that Kosovo is a separate territory from Serbia. Serbia does not accept the political decision of Turkey (to recognise its independence)."

Turkey multinational country
The process in the run-up to the recognition of Kosovo's independence gained momentum early this year with the United States and leading members of the European Union pledging support. The critical decision as to recognition sparked fears that Kosovo, populated by 2 million Albanians, could set a precedent for other states, including Turkey, who are concerned about separatism.

"Every nationality in every part of the world has its own rights. But if they all declare independence, every multi-ethnic country including Turkey would have big problems. Turkey is not a one-nation country," said Curgus.

His remarks were in response to questions about Kurdish claims for broader autonomy inside Turkish territory.

"Did Turkey accept claims for territory? No, and it is right of Turkey to do so as is the (denial of the independence of Kosovo) a sovereign right of Serbia," he said.

Kosovo plans to open an embassy in Ankara soon. Diplomatic sources told the Daily News that suitable sites were being sought.

"They can open whatever they want to open. It is not a question that I want to comment on. It is a decision of the (Turkish) government. Tomorrow they must explain their decision to the Tukish people," said Curgus.

The ambassador said Serbia believed the dispute over Kosovo could be settled by negotiation.Â

"The Balkan territory has had a very difficult history, involving many battles. Because of past experience, we want to solve this (Kosovo) problem not with guns but with law. We want to believe international law still exists," noted Curgus.

The president of Serbia, Boris Tadic, asked the U.N. Security Council to annul the declaration of independence by Kosovo. Belgrade currently awaits the United Nations decision on Kosovo.

"We strongly believe that the U.N. system cannot approve of this. We are sure the United Nations will consider the declaration of independence illegal," said the ambassador.

He also expressed optimism about a real compromise with Albanians in Kosovo.

"We insist on making a real deal with Albanians. You can never work when there is a frozen conflict," said Curgus.

He cited another "frozen conflict," Nagorno-Karabakh, between regional rivals in the Caucasus, Azerbaijan and Armenia. "You see that it is very important to have a solution concerning Nagorno-Karabakh and Turkey is involved as frozen conflicts are of no use to neighboring countries," he said.