Much has to be done to create safe living conditions for Serbs in Kosovo

RELIEF WEB (SWITZERLAND)

Source: Government of Serbia
Date: 23 Aug 2005

Belgrade, Aug 23, 2005 - Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica met today with the UN Special Envoy for Implementation of Standards in Kosovo-Metohija, Ambassador Kai Eide. The two officials discussed key issues related to the current situation in the province.

Eide voiced his dissatisfaction with the latest developments, especially with a halt in the talks on decentralisation. He said that much has to be done to create safe living conditions for Serbs and for their return. He urged all parties in the process to do their level best to make an initial progress. He added that is especially important that Belgrade gives an active contribution to the decentralisation process.

The Serbian Prime Minister agreed with Eide's assessment of the decentralisation process and voiced fear that the international community has tacitly abandoned the proclaimed "standards before status" policy. Serbia is not satisfied with that and it expects that any change in the policy towards the province be made public.

According to Kostunica, the talks on Kosovo's future status can hardly take place when no progress has been made in the areas in which at least a minimum of standards should be met. In that sense, Belgrade is willing to give its full contribution to reaching a consensus on the decentralisation issue. Serbia has always been interested in making progress on this issue, and there is still time to break the impasse, the Prime Minister stressed, highlighting that Belgrade insists on essential, and not fictitious progress.

Kostunica added that Belgrade is ready for direct dialogue with the leaders of Kosovo Albanians on all open issues.

Ambassador Kai Eide did not specify the deadline for the completion of his report, giving priority to its content. He did not rule out the possibility of visiting Belgrade and Pristina once more.