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A:
Status talks on Kosovo-Metohija to be renewed
Belgrade,
24 January 2009
State Secretary of the Ministry for Kosovo-Metohija Oliver Ivanovic expressed assurance that status talks on Kosovo-Metohija will be renewed, but that Serbia first needs to join the EU.
Oliver Ivanovic
Europe will treat Serbia with more respect and our position will then be greatly improved, he said in an interview with Beta.
We cannot underestimate the fact that 54 states, including some world economic super powers, recognised Kosovo, but even they are aware that Kosovo’s status cannot be finalised without Serbia’s consent, he said.
He said he does not believe recognising Kosovo will be a condition for Serbia to join the EU.
Ivanovic said that no one is satisfied with what EULEX has done so far, not even the mission itself.
EULEX’ role is defined in the UN Security Council’s six item report, but looks very different in real life, he stated.
The return of Serbs to the Kosovo Police Service and the inclusion of judges in the judicial system are according to the six item plan, but EULEX’s position within that plan is still undefined, they think UNMIK should implement them whereas UNMIK has the jurisdiction but does not have real power, said Ivanovic.
Ivanovic said that the plan needs more discussion and that Belgrade expects the talks to start in mid-February, after UNMIK Chief Lamberto Zannier returns from New York.
I suggest that UNMIK, EULEX and the government of Serbia should meet and forward conclusions to the Kosovo government, he said, noting that at this moment he cannot imagine direct talks with Kosovo government representatives.
He recalled that it is of utmost importance that the six-item plan was supported by the United States, UK, France and other countries that had recognised Kosovo.
The United States is the major authority for Albanians and therefore its support would be important, he noted.
Speaking on security in the north of the province, Ivanovic said that frequent incidents must not turn violent, like the one that happened on March 17, 2004.
For tensions to lessen KFOR needs to be near, while EULEX and the Kosovo Police Service need to take full responsibility, Ivanovic concluded.
We cannot underestimate the fact that 54 states, including some world economic super powers, recognised Kosovo, but even they are aware that Kosovo’s status cannot be finalised without Serbia’s consent, he said.
He said he does not believe recognising Kosovo will be a condition for Serbia to join the EU.
Ivanovic said that no one is satisfied with what EULEX has done so far, not even the mission itself.
EULEX’ role is defined in the UN Security Council’s six item report, but looks very different in real life, he stated.
The return of Serbs to the Kosovo Police Service and the inclusion of judges in the judicial system are according to the six item plan, but EULEX’s position within that plan is still undefined, they think UNMIK should implement them whereas UNMIK has the jurisdiction but does not have real power, said Ivanovic.
Ivanovic said that the plan needs more discussion and that Belgrade expects the talks to start in mid-February, after UNMIK Chief Lamberto Zannier returns from New York.
I suggest that UNMIK, EULEX and the government of Serbia should meet and forward conclusions to the Kosovo government, he said, noting that at this moment he cannot imagine direct talks with Kosovo government representatives.
He recalled that it is of utmost importance that the six-item plan was supported by the United States, UK, France and other countries that had recognised Kosovo.
The United States is the major authority for Albanians and therefore its support would be important, he noted.
Speaking on security in the north of the province, Ivanovic said that frequent incidents must not turn violent, like the one that happened on March 17, 2004.
For tensions to lessen KFOR needs to be near, while EULEX and the Kosovo Police Service need to take full responsibility, Ivanovic concluded.
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