Chinese envoy calls for continued dialogues on Kosovo issue

China hopes that both sides of the Kosovo issue will continue with their high-level political dialogues to achieve a lasting solution, a Chinese envoy to the United Nations said Thursday.

China appreciates the vigorous efforts undertaken by the government of Serbia in seeking a political solution to the question of Kosovo, Wu Haitao, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, told a Security Council meeting.

"We hope that both sides will continue with their high-level political dialogues, seek a lasting solution to the question of Kosovo and strive to maintain peace and security in the Balkans and Europe at large," Wu added.

The envoy noted that UN Security Council Resolution 1244 is "the important legal basis" for the question of Kosovo.

"A proper solution acceptable to the parties concerned must be reached through dialogue and negotiations pursuant to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and within the framework of relevant Security Council resolutions," he said.

Wu stressed that parties concerned must effectively protect the legitimate rights of all ethnic communities of Kosovo, promote ethnic reconciliation and avoid taking any actions that might complicate the situation.

Kosovo is the subject of a long-running political and territorial dispute between Belgrade and Pristina. Serbia categorically refuses to recognize Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence in 2008, though most leading European countries and the United States have exchanged diplomats with Kosovo.

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Kosovo Zahir Tanin told the council meeting that the situation in Kosovo over the past three months had been more stable, adding that the threat of security and political tensions remained beneath the surface. He said that the younger generation is in need of clearer directions and better employment opportunities if stability and prosperity are to be achieved. Endit