Marsico: Argentina strongly supports Serbia regarding Kosovo; we are considering further actions due to sending KSF to the Malvinas

Argentina strongly supports Serbia's position regarding Kosovo and Metohija based on strict respect for the principle of territorial integrity, which is one of the main principles contained in the UN Charter, and therefore we don't recognize Kosovo as an independent state, Osvaldo Marsico, Argentina's Ambassador to Belgrade, said at the beginning of the interview for Kosovo Online.

According to the ambassador, "bilateral relations between Argentina and Serbia are traditionally very good and are characterized by cooperation, coordination and mutual support in international organizations."

"Argentina strongly supports Serbia's position regarding Kosovo and Metohija, based on strict respect for the principle of territorial integrity, which is one of the main principles contained in the UN Charter, and therefore we do not recognize Kosovo as an independent state. Serbia supports Argentina in the sovereignty dispute that it has with the United Kingdom regarding the Malvinas Islands. For example, in June of this year, Serbia participated for the first time in the UN Special Committee on Decolonization in favor of Argentina's position on the Malvinas. Cultural ties are strong, and I work very hard with my team to promote Argentine culture, history, and tourism. We visit Serbian universities, cultural centers, and municipalities and jointly create projects. We are far from Serbia but close in spirit. On the commercial side, in October 2022, the Serbian market is officially open for Argentine meat, and at the Embassy, we are working hard with the Argentine exporters and Serbian importers. The prospects are very good," the ambassador of Argentina in Belgrade says.

You recently met with Minister Dacic. How do you see the current crisis in northern Kosovo and also the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina?

I had a long, honest, and productive meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dacic. He has been to Argentina several times in different official capacities. He knows that he has a very good and reliable friend in Argentina. We greatly appreciated the announcement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia regarding the deployment of the so-called Kosovo forces in the Malvinas because it clearly states that this is in contradiction with the UN resolutions concerning both Kosovo and the Malvinas. We are very concerned about the current crisis in the north of Kosovo. Both sides must sit and negotiate seriously to find a peaceful and mutually acceptable solution. I think the dialogue mediated by the European Union is very important and must not be interrupted. In this regard, I believe it is essential to generate confidence-building measures, avoid unilateral and provocative acts, and adhere to previous agreements, for example, the Brussels Agreement on the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities establishment.

Pristina recently decided to send Kosovo Security Force (KSF) members to the Malvinas (Falkland Islands). Will Argentina take additional actions in this regard, in addition to the announcement issued by the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Argentina?

We strongly condemn the deployment of the so-called Kosovo Special Forces on the Malvinas Islands. It is a unilateral act of the United Kingdom contrary to UN General Resolution 37/9, which calls on both parties in the dispute over sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands and the surrounding sea areas to refrain precisely from unilateral acts that prejudge the outcome of negotiations. It further militarizes the area in defiance of UN General Assembly Resolution 41/11, which declares the South Atlantic a zone of peace and cooperation.

Ten resolutions of the UN General Assembly and over 40 resolutions of the UN Special Committee on Decolonization expressly recognize the existence of a sovereignty dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the Malvinas Islands and accordingly exclude the application of the principle of self-determination when it comes to this particular case of decolonization. In addition to the Foreign Office press release, Argentina delivered an official diplomatic note of protest to the British ambassador in Buenos Aires, and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) also issued a statement in solidarity with Argentina. Further actions are being considered.

Pristina recently banned Patriarch Porfirije from entering Kosovo. What is your view on that?

I believe the ban on Patriarch Porfirije entering Kosovo is completely unacceptable and unjustified. As I said before, it does not help to create an atmosphere of trust, which is necessary for any successful negotiation.

Argentina won the World Cup by defeating France in the final. How did you experience the end of the World Cup?

I think it was the best World Cup final ever. I lived it passionately, like everything we Argentinians do. We are extremely proud of our national team, precisely because they played as a team. They showed humility, hard work, and a strong will to win.

Emir Kusturica once made a film and video about Maradona. Can the same be done with Messi?

I'm not so sure. I don't like comparisons. Both Maradona and Messi are undoubtedly the best players of their era. Maradona was more than a football player, he was extremely charismatic, and his own life was a novel. Messi is a completely different character, very humble and very professional. Football and his family are his life. Of course, time will tell.