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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

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Ischinger's proposal not to be examined at tomorrow's negotiations in Brussels

Belgrade, 19 November 2007

Serbian Minister for Kosovo-Metohija Slobodan Samardzic said today that the proposal of EU representative in the Contact Group's troika of envoys Wolfgang Ischinger on giving neutral status to Kosovo-Metohija will not be examined at the next round of direct negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina, which will be held on November 20 in Brussels.

Samardzic said late yesterday to Radio Television Serbia that the proposal on neutral status was not given to the negotiating parties, but to journalists, to which Belgrade reacted immediately by refusing such form of communication.

We refused talks about the neutral status because it is not clear what that refers to and it is obvious that it is not about Kosovo status which is the main topic of the negotiations, the Minister specified.

Samardzic said the Serbian side will present at the talks in Brussels other examples of substantial autonomies in the world, apart from the example of Hong Kong.

The Serbian delegation will present an example of the state where one nationality is outnumbered by another one, but its autonomy is secured by the constitution and an international document.

Samardzic confirmed that Serbia's delegation at the next round of talks will be led by Serbian President Boris Tadic and Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, and the delegation will include Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic and other members of the state negotiating team.