"Neutral status" proposal drawing negative reactions

Wolfgang Ischinger’s latest “neutral status” proposal for Kosovo has been receiving negative reactions. Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu has rejected the proposal on neutral status proposed by the mediating Troika’s EU representative in Washington. According to Sejdiu, independence is the only solution for the Albanian side. "Neutral status" proposal drawing negative reactions “No other status solves the Kosovo problem sufficiently. Our position on Kosovo independence and her membership of the EU and NATO is already widely known,” said Sejdiu. Even though, according to media reports in Washington, Ischinger explained his idea of neutral status as a temporary phase until a final solution for Kosovo was found, during which the two sides could formalize bilateral relations, Sejdiu said that the proposal was unacceptable for Pristina as it did not insist on independence. Ischinger said that the Troika would present the two sides with a proposal for so-called neutral status. He said that his aim was to normalize relations between Belgrade and Pristina, adding that he was sure that the new proposal could lead to a consensus to normalize relations, without containing a single word on status. The Troika’s EU representative said that the details of the offer had not yet been elaborated, though he added that it would take the form of an agreement on cooperation and consultations on a certain number of aspects, such as the economy, trade and crime prevention. In Vienna today, UNMIK Chief Joachim Ruecker will address the OSCE where he will, according to reports, speak of the situation in Kosovo and preparations for elections due to be held on November 17. Ruecker will look at UNMIK and the OSCE’s cooperation, and at the future role of the international community in the province. The OSCE is the so-called third pillar of the international presence in Kosovo, concerned with democratization and institution building. Wolfgang Ischinger (FoNet, archive)

"Neutral status" proposal drawing negative reactions

“No other status solves the Kosovo problem sufficiently. Our position on Kosovo independence and her membership of the EU and NATO is already widely known,” said Sejdiu.

Even though, according to media reports in Washington, Ischinger explained his idea of neutral status as a temporary phase until a final solution for Kosovo was found, during which the two sides could formalize bilateral relations, Sejdiu said that the proposal was unacceptable for Priština as it did not insist on independence.

Ischinger said that the Troika would present the two sides with a proposal for so-called neutral status. He said that his aim was to normalize relations between Belgrade and Priština, adding that he was sure that the new proposal could lead to a consensus to normalize relations, without containing a single word on status.

The Troika’s EU representative said that the details of the offer had not yet been elaborated, though he added that it would take the form of an agreement on cooperation and consultations on a certain number of aspects, such as the economy, trade and crime prevention.

In Vienna today, UNMIK Chief Joachim Ruecker will address the OSCE where he will, according to reports, speak of the situation in Kosovo and preparations for elections due to be held on November 17.

Ruecker will look at UNMIK and the OSCE’s cooperation, and at the future role of the international community in the province. The OSCE is the so-called third pillar of the international presence in Kosovo, concerned with democratization and institution building.