Lavrov: Russia opposes artificial deadlines

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Russia opposes setting artificial deadlines for the Kosovo status talks. Today, following a meeting with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner in Moscow, he warned that a possible unilateral declaration of independence by the Kosovo Albanians could trigger a "chain reaction" in different parts of Europe. Lavrov: Russia opposes artificial deadlines The deadline for talks on the province’s status is set for December 10, when the UN Security Council is due to review a progress report on the negotiations. "We are not setting deadlines for the creation of a Palestinian state that the Palestinians have been seeking for sixty years, or for resolving the whole Arab-Israeli conflict. In all these situations, we are urging further negotiations - the same applies to Kosovo," Lavrov said. He pointed out he did not see "how a unilateral declaration of Kosovo independence can stabilise the situation in Europe." It would mark the beginning of a chain reaction in different parts of the continent, he stressed, and added that "Russia wants to avoid such a scenario." Lavrov warned that "if someone keeps saying that a declaration of independence is inevitable, this will not encourage the Kosovo Albanians to negotiatiate." However, if we call on Belgrade and Pristina to reach an agreement, the chances are not bad, the Russian minister concluded, and added that they should tackle and not haggle over the Kosovo issue.

Lavrov: Russia opposes artificial deadlines

The deadline for talks on the province’s status is set for December 10, when the UN Security Council is due to review a progress report on the negotiations.

"We are not setting deadlines for the creation of a Palestinian state that the Palestinians have been seeking for sixty years, or for resolving the whole Arab-Israeli conflict. In all these situations, we are urging further negotiations - the same applies to Kosovo," Lavrov said.

He pointed out he did not see "how a unilateral declaration of Kosovo independence can stabilise the situation in Europe."

It would mark the beginning of a chain reaction in different parts of the continent, he stressed, and added that "Russia wants to avoid such a scenario."

Lavrov warned that "if someone keeps saying that a declaration of independence is inevitable, this will not encourage the Kosovo Albanians to negotiatiate."

However, if we call on Belgrade and Priština to reach an agreement, the chances are not bad, the Russian minister concluded, and added that they should tackle and not haggle over the Kosovo issue.