Kosovo talks continue in London

The international Troika mediating the Kosovo status negotiations will hold consultations in London today. The meetings will be held with officials from Belgrade and Pristina, and will be dedicated to establishing conditions for the first set of direct talks between the two sides, expected to take place on September 28 in New York. Kosovo talks continue in London The Belgrade delegation, scheduled to meet first with the international envoys in London, will be led by Kosovo Minister Slobodan Samardzic and Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic. Samardzic said that the team has proposed a list of topics, and that they are all focused on Kosovo’s status. “We will present five complex topics which we are expected to discuss further in October and November." "We will insist on the Albanian side giving its proposals for discussions on September 19, not just an abstract status program as they see it,” Samardzic said. Vuk Jeremic will be meeting with his British counterpart David Miliband before the meeting with the troika. “There are many countries that have serious reservations towards any form of unilateral steps, especially those not sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council,” Jeremic said, adding that there are those leaning towards such a solution, however, and Great Britain is one of them. Jeremic told B92 that Belgrade’s diplomatic initiative is aimed at getting the European Union to back away from the idea of a unilaterally recognized independent Kosovo, should the current talks end without compromise. Belgrade’s goal is “for the EU to have a stance that it is not ready to accept Kosovo independence and that any unilateral proclamation of Kosovo’s independence by Pristina will not receive the support of the EU,” Jeremic said. During the second day in London, Jeremic will also be meeting President of the U.K. Foreign Affairs Select Committee Michael Gapes and Foreign Affairs Advisor Simon McDonald. Ceku: Independence not open to discussion Ahead of his trip to London today, Kosovo Prime Minister Agim Ceku warned that the Kosovo Albanians' patience was wearing thin. "We are no longer prepared to accept any more postponements and we want a decision" "If the international community hesitates in making a final decision, we will do so regardless of the potential consequences. We have to finish this process that Ahtisaari started, and our aim is to finish it by the end of the year, " he said. Yesterday, Ceku says his delegation "will not discuss the province’s independence." Ceku feels that additional talks between Belgrade and Pristina concern the functioning of the "Kosovo state." "The 120 day process concerns joint cooperation with our European partners in order to make the Kosovo state functional," said Ceku in his weekly address to the public. He said that "our American and European friends" expect the Kosovo Albanian side to treat the process of status determination with the utmost seriousness, and to prove that they are a serious partner of the international community and have a vision of the future. "Our vision of independence still stands, and we are using our talks with the international Troika to show that Kosovo is ready to be a worthy partner of the EU," said Ceku. In the document proposal that is to be presented to the international Troika in London, Pristina will present a model of Kosovo as an independent European country that desires good relations with all its neighbours. That is the European way and the only way, because economics, trade and culture know no boundaries, said the Kosovo prime minister. Also in Pristina yesterday, Ceku met with the NATO commander in Europe, General John Craddock, annouced the Kosovo prime minister’s cabinet. Ceku and Craddock discussed the security situation in Kosovo, the report says. "Prime Minister Ceku felt that the situation was peaceful and stable, and that all parties in Kosovo were determined to preserve internal stability and the partnership with the international community," it adds. The NATO commander, it is reported, assured Ceku that his forces were in a position to deal with all challenges to security during and after the deciding phase of the province’s status settlement process. They stressed the need for close cooperation between the government and NATO to keep the peace and stability, and considered the creation of Kosovo’s future security institutions as vital, the report concludes. "We are no longer prepared to accept any more postponements and we want a decision" "If the international community hesitates in making a final decision, we will do so regardless of the potential consequences. We have to finish this process that Ahtisaari started, and our aim is to finish it by the end of the year, " Ceku said yesterday.

Kosovo talks continue in London

The Belgrade delegation, scheduled to meet first with the international envoys in London, will be led by Kosovo Minister Slobodan Samardžić and Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić.

Samardžić said that the team has proposed a list of topics, and that they are all focused on Kosovo’s status.

“We will present five complex topics which we are expected to discuss further in October and November."

"We will insist on the Albanian side giving its proposals for discussions on September 19, not just an abstract status program as they see it,” Samardžić said.

Vuk Jeremić will be meeting with his British counterpart David Miliband before the meeting with the troika.

“There are many countries that have serious reservations towards any form of unilateral steps, especially those not sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council,” Jeremić said, adding that there are those leaning towards such a solution, however, and Great Britain is one of them.

Jeremić told B92 that Belgrade’s diplomatic initiative is aimed at getting the European Union to back away from the idea of a unilaterally recognized independent Kosovo, should the current talks end without compromise.

Belgrade’s goal is “for the EU to have a stance that it is not ready to accept Kosovo independence and that any unilateral proclamation of Kosovo’s independence by Priština will not receive the support of the EU,” Jeremić said.

During the second day in London, Jeremić will also be meeting President of the U.K. Foreign Affairs Select Committee Michael Gapes and Foreign Affairs Advisor Simon McDonald.

Ceku: Independence not open to discussion

Ahead of his trip to London today, Kosovo Prime Minister Agim Ceku warned that the Kosovo Albanians' patience was wearing thin.

"We are no longer prepared to accept any more postponements and we want a decision"

"If the international community hesitates in making a final decision, we will do so regardless of the potential consequences. We have to finish this process that Ahtisaari started, and our aim is to finish it by the end of the year, " he said.

Yesterday, Ceku says his delegation "will not discuss the province’s independence."

Ceku feels that additional talks between Belgrade and Priština concern the functioning of the "Kosovo state."

"The 120 day process concerns joint cooperation with our European partners in order to make the Kosovo state functional," said Ceku in his weekly address to the public.

He said that "our American and European friends" expect the Kosovo Albanian side to treat the process of status determination with the utmost seriousness, and to prove that they are a serious partner of the international community and have a vision of the future.

"Our vision of independence still stands, and we are using our talks with the international Troika to show that Kosovo is ready to be a worthy partner of the EU," said Ceku.

In the document proposal that is to be presented to the international Troika in London, Priština will present a model of Kosovo as an independent European country that desires good relations with all its neighbours.

That is the European way and the only way, because economics, trade and culture know no boundaries, said the Kosovo prime minister.

Also in Priština yesterday, Ceku met with the NATO commander in Europe, General John Craddock, annouced the Kosovo prime minister’s cabinet.

Ceku and Craddock discussed the security situation in Kosovo, the report says.

"Prime Minister Ceku felt that the situation was peaceful and stable, and that all parties in Kosovo were determined to preserve internal stability and the partnership with the international community," it adds.

The NATO commander, it is reported, assured Ceku that his forces were in a position to deal with all challenges to security during and after the deciding phase of the province’s status settlement process.

They stressed the need for close cooperation between the government and NATO to keep the peace and stability, and considered the creation of Kosovo’s future security institutions as vital, the report concludes.

"We are no longer prepared to accept any more postponements and we want a decision"

"If the international community hesitates in making a final decision, we will do so regardless of the potential consequences. We have to finish this process that Ahtisaari started, and our aim is to finish it by the end of the year, " Ceku said yesterday.