UN Security Council president disputes with Serbia's president over speaking time

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - In a tense moment during a UN Security Council (UNSC) session on Monday, Malta's Vanessa Frazier, current Council president, strongly rebuked Serbia's Aleksandar Vucic after a disagreement over speaking time.

As the session exceeded its allocated time, Council President Frazier stated that there had been a consensus to allot three minutes of speaking time each to Vucic and Kosovo's Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu.

However, Vucic contested the assertion, stating, "That was not agreed, but that doesn't matter."

Frazier immediately rebutted and referenced her deputy's confirmation of the agreement, saying: "My deputy just told me that she agreed with you. I will not accept that she is made out to be a liar."

She then reiterated to Vucic that he could speak for three minutes and Vucic took the floor by thanking her.

The Council session began with the report of Caroline Ziadeh, the Special Representative and head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).

"The level of mistrust unfortunately remains high and must be addressed," Ziadeh said in her remarks.

Saying that the UN "will continue to support the EU-facilitated dialogue as the forum to find a consensual resolution on outstanding issues," Ziadeh also stressed the importance of accountability.

"Good faith dialogue, communication and mutual understanding mark the path forward. Progress is born from actions undertaken with the willingness to forge compromises," she added.