Thaci announces talks with Belgrade

Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) leader Hashim Thaci stated on Friday that the Pristina-Belgrade talks would be new Kosovo government's top priority. "One of the first decisions the government will adopt upon its constitution will refer to the takeover of responsibility for the process of the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia,” he said following his meeting with Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs Thomas Countryman in Pristina. Thaci announces talks with Belgrade Thaci, who so far served as Kosovo prime minister, is expected to retain his position in the government which should be constituted by the end of February. “We should not expect this dialogue to make miracles,” he stressed and added that the Belgrade-Pristina talks would focus on practical issues to the benefit of both Kosovo and Serbia and their citizens. Countryman said that Washington would back the forthcoming dialogue, adding that the U.S. would not provide assistance for the Kosovo team only, but will help the EU and Serbia as well so as to make the talks start. The PDK sent an official offer to the New Kosovo Alliance (AKR), headed by Beghjet Pacolli, proposing that the two parties join forces in the constitution of the new Kosovo government. However, representatives of the two parties did not manage to reach an agreement on tangible moves during their first meeting, as the PDK did not offer that the AKR leader should assume office as Kosovo president. If constituted, the new government coalition would have the support of 65 out of 120 members of the Kosovo parliament, whose constitutional meeting has been scheduled for February 24. Hashim Thaci (Beta, file)

Thaci announces talks with Belgrade

Thaci, who so far served as Kosovo prime minister, is expected to retain his position in the government which should be constituted by the end of February.

“We should not expect this dialogue to make miracles,” he stressed and added that the Belgrade-Priština talks would focus on practical issues to the benefit of both Kosovo and Serbia and their citizens.

Countryman said that Washington would back the forthcoming dialogue, adding that the U.S. would not provide assistance for the Kosovo team only, but will help the EU and Serbia as well so as to make the talks start.

The PDK sent an official offer to the New Kosovo Alliance (AKR), headed by Beghjet Pacolli, proposing that the two parties join forces in the constitution of the new Kosovo government.

However, representatives of the two parties did not manage to reach an agreement on tangible moves during their first meeting, as the PDK did not offer that the AKR leader should assume office as Kosovo president.

If constituted, the new government coalition would have the support of 65 out of 120 members of the Kosovo parliament, whose constitutional meeting has been scheduled for February 24.