Discussions about Kosovo's future status premature - Ahtisaari
CZECH NEWS AGENCY, Apr 21, 2006 9:44 PM
Bratislava, April 21 (CTK) - Martti Ahtisaari, special U.N. envoy for talks on the future of Kosovo, said in Bratislava today that the negotiations have focused on the position of minorities and that discussions about the provinces future status are premature.
Talking to journalists after a meeting with Slovak Foreign Minister Eduard Kukan, Ahtisaari would not comment on whether Kosovo should become independent or remain part of Serbia.
It is impossible to speak about Kosovos status before we know that all Kosovo inhabitants will enjoy dignified life and chances, Ahtisaari said.
Kukan, too, would not speculate on whether Kosovo should become independent.
The positions of Kosovo Albanians and the Serbian-Montenegrin government have been incompatible so far.
The Albanians demand independence, while Belgrade is ready to put up with Kosovos broad autonomy.
Kukan does not hide his reserved stand on independent Kosovo.
In February he criticised the international community saying that it should not exert unilateral pressure on Belgrade over Kosovo, and that the negotiations result should be acceptable to both sides involved.
Kukan softened his statements today. "We have no special or specially economic or other interests in this region," Kukan said.
He said Slovakia is neither pro-Albanian nor pro-Serbian.
Up to now, Kosovo Albanians and Belgrade government representatives have held three rounds of negotiations under the aegis of the U.N., without discussing Kosovos definitive status yet.
The next round of negotiations is to focus on cultural heritage protection.
Bratislava, April 21 (CTK) - Martti Ahtisaari, special U.N. envoy for talks on the future of Kosovo, said in Bratislava today that the negotiations have focused on the position of minorities and that discussions about the provinces future status are premature.
Talking to journalists after a meeting with Slovak Foreign Minister Eduard Kukan, Ahtisaari would not comment on whether Kosovo should become independent or remain part of Serbia.
It is impossible to speak about Kosovos status before we know that all Kosovo inhabitants will enjoy dignified life and chances, Ahtisaari said.
Kukan, too, would not speculate on whether Kosovo should become independent.
The positions of Kosovo Albanians and the Serbian-Montenegrin government have been incompatible so far.
The Albanians demand independence, while Belgrade is ready to put up with Kosovos broad autonomy.
Kukan does not hide his reserved stand on independent Kosovo.
In February he criticised the international community saying that it should not exert unilateral pressure on Belgrade over Kosovo, and that the negotiations result should be acceptable to both sides involved.
Kukan softened his statements today. "We have no special or specially economic or other interests in this region," Kukan said.
He said Slovakia is neither pro-Albanian nor pro-Serbian.
Up to now, Kosovo Albanians and Belgrade government representatives have held three rounds of negotiations under the aegis of the U.N., without discussing Kosovos definitive status yet.
The next round of negotiations is to focus on cultural heritage protection.
posted by Snezana @ 18:42
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