Kosovo Serb political representatives established Saturday in northern Serb-dominated part of Mitrovica their own assembly, rejecting the independence proclaimed by the Albanian majority.
In its first session, the assembly of Kosovo Municipal Communities adopted a declaration claiming Kosovo remains part of Serbia, and ruled out "Pristina's illegal and unilateral declaration of independence."
Radovan Nicic, the Serbian Radical Party deputy (SRS), was elected speaker of the assembly. Marko Jaksic of the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) and Srdjan Nikolic of the SRS were elected deputy speakers, and Boban Savic of the SRS was elected secretary.
Forty-five deputies were elected in Kosovo during Serbia's general and local elections on May 11 although the UN mission in Kosovo and Kosovo's government said the local elections were illegal.
Kosovo's ethnic Albanians declared independence from Serbia in February, despite Serb and Russian opposition.
Thirty out of 45 elected deputies were present in the first session of the assembly.
Serbian Minister for Kosovo Slobodan Samardzic attended the session, saying this institution would enable Serbs, Gorans and other non-Albanians to remain and live in the territory normally as citizens of Serbia.
The goal of the assembly is to be the highest Serb institutional body in Kosovo, with authorities to adopt statements, resolutions, proposals and takes decisions under the authorities of the Serbian government.
International and Albanian leaders in Kosovo have warned the assembly would have no effect in political life, but Serbs insists it is the most legal and legitimate Serb body in the territory.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article