Talks on Kosovo status hindered by individual opinions which predetermine province's status

RELIEF WEB (SWITZERLAND)

 

Source: Government of Serbia

Date: 08 Feb 2006

 

Talks on Kosovo status hindered by individual opinions which predetermine province's status

 

Belgrade, Feb 8, 2006 - Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica met today with EU representative for political talks on the future status of Kosovo-Metohija Stefan Lehne and informed him of Serbia's position regarding the future status of the province.

 

Kostunica stressed that Serbia is readily awaiting the beginning of direct talks on the province's future status, and its starting point are the generally accepted documents of the UN Security Council, Secretary General and the Contact Group.

 

He pointed out that preparations for the talks are being hindered by individual opinions of certain member states of the Contact Group which are predetermining the solution to Kosovo status.

 

Lehne agreed that talks on decentralisation should begin as soon as possible and stressed that when it comes to Kosovo-Metohija, the EU should in future take upon itself more responsibility which currently lies with the international community, primarily regarding the province's economic development.

 

Kostunica and Lehne also discussed other important issues concerning relations between Serbia-Montenegro and the EU, such as the referendum in Montenegro.

 

Kostunica briefed Lehne on the Serbian government's unanimous stance that the required majority for the referendum should be the supermajority vote.