China calls for continued efforts to settle Kosovo issue through dialogue

China on Friday called on all parties concerned to continue to resolve differences through dialogue, so as to find a lasting solution to the issue of Kosovo.

Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the UN, made the appeal at a meeting of the Security Council on Kosovo.

"China respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia and understands the legitimate concerns of that country on the question of Kosovo," Liu told the meeting, noting that the Security Council Resolution 1244 provides the essential legal basis for finding a solution to the issue.

"China believes that the best approach in that connection is to

find a mutually acceptable settlement through dialogue and negotiations on the basis of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and within the framework of the relevant Council resolutions," he said.

Liu noted that the recent security situation in Kosovo has remained largely peaceful, although violent incidents continue to take place in the north.

He said China believed that all relevant parties should take concrete measures to protect the legitimate rights of all communities in Kosovo and promote inter-communal reconciliation.

"At the same time, all parties should adopt a prudent attitude, stay the course of resolving disputes and differences through dialogue, and avoid resorting to any action that may lead to the complication and escalation of the situation," he said.

The Chinese envoy said his country appreciates the efforts of Serbia in seeking a political solution to the issue of Kosovo, and supports the continued efforts of Belgrade and Pristina to maintain and push forward the high level political dialogue and to implement the bilateral agreements that have already been reached.

"China believes that the continued efforts of both sides to promote a pragmatic, positive and constructive dialogue process and to seek a lasting solution to the issue of Kosovo will contribute to peace and stability in the Balkans and Europe at large," Liu said.

"Resolving the Kosovo issue in a proper way and building a Kosovo where all ethnic communities live harmoniously plays a part in the peace and stability of the Balkans and the rest of Europe," he added. "That is also a common goal of the international community."