Russia reiterates its opposition to Kosovo independence

Moscow, Dec 22 (UNI) Russia has reiterated that it wants the United Nations to oversee the administration of Serbia's breakaway region of Kosovo.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said today the UN peacekeepers in the region could be replaced by EU forces only if Serbia accepts the move.

He added any action taken that bypasses the UN would undermine international law and set a dangerous precedent for other conflict zones.

''The European Union will not be able to act instead of the UN.

Even those countries that consider Kosovo's independence as the only possible solution understand how harmful this can be,'' the Russia Today television channel quoted Mr Lavrov as saying.

''This is why they are doing their best to get the UN Security Council to react to their decision to send an EU mission, either police or civil, to Kosovo,'' he stated.

''If the EU intends to replace the UN, this is not impossible. But two conditions must be observed for this to happen, the decision should be taken by the UN Security Council and Resolution 1244 must not be changed. What's more Belgrade needs to agree to this, as this is compulsory for any peacekeeping operation,'' Mr Lavrov added.

UNI