Hungarian foreign minister says minority protection paramount for Kosovo's future

Associated Press, Mar 14, 2006 5:43 AM

 

PRISTINA, Serbia-Montenegro-Hungarian foreign minister said the protection of minorities in U.N.-run Kosovo is a key for lasting solution for this disputed province.

 

Ferenc Somogyi, who held talks with senior U.N. officials, also said that getting the economy and finances on the right footing are a key condition for Kosovo's development.

 

During his one-day stay, he will also meet with the province's Prime Minister Agim Ceku, President Fatmir Sejdiu and representatives of the Serb minority.

 

Somogyi visit comes days before the resumption of talks between Kosovo's and Serbia's officials, scheduled to take place in Vienna, Austria, on Friday.

 

The U.N.-mediated talks will determine whether the province, which has been administered by the world body since 1999, becomes independent as demanded by ethnic Albanians or remains part of Serbia.