Team member confirms heated exchange during talks

BRUSSELS Aleksandar Vulin, who is taking part in the Kosovo negotiations today, has described the talks so far as "difficult, strained, and tense". Despite this, said the director of the Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija, "Serbia is not giving up and is ready for a compromise." Team member confirms heated exchange during talks Despite the mood, which he said was "very strained and tense", the Serbian team "has a new quality since First Deputy PM Aleksandar Vucic joined it." Vulin told our reporter in Brussels on Tuesday afternoon that "everything that has been negotiated, and that is being negotiated now is known - we all know what everyone wants and doesn't want." However, he added, Serbia is ready for a compromise, and is trying to find a solution for "the comprehensive" life in Kosovo. "It remains to be seen if the other side will understand our readiness and also be ready for a compromise," he noted. Asked whether the speculation was true that an agreement "without signatures" would be reached today, and what kind of paper had been offered to Serbia, he responded by saying: "There has been no paper yet - a paper, if there is one, will come out of the talks." "Nothing spectacular is happening here," Vulin remarked. Asked whether today's round would also be the last, and whether it will be concluded today - considering that EU's Catherine Ashton, who acts as mediator on the talks, will not be in Brussels tomorrow - the Serbian official said: "As far as Serbia is concerned this is not the last round." Speaking a while later, Vulin confirmed unofficial information that the trilateral meeting ended after the participants addressed each other "in a raised voice." According to him, the heated exchange was initiated by the Pristina delegation, "led by Hashim Thaci", and it was Aleksandar Vucic who responded in kind. Vulin then added: "There have been no incidents, but there have been raised voices. First Deputy PM Aleksandar Vucic knows how to fight for what he believes, so I believe his voice could have been raised, and then some." According to Vulin, such situations are possible "when you talk with somebody who either does not, or will not understand the arguments presented to them, and then wants to convince you this is good for you." The negotiations were then resumed after a pause with a bilateral meeting between the Serbian side and Catherine Ashton, and Vulin stated that "everybody hopes that some kind of compromise is possible." The Serbian delegation arrives (B92) B92

Team member confirms heated exchange during talks

Despite the mood, which he said was "very strained and tense", the Serbian team "has a new quality since First Deputy PM Aleksandar Vučić joined it."

Vulin told our reporter in Brussels on Tuesday afternoon that "everything that has been negotiated, and that is being negotiated now is known - we all know what everyone wants and doesn't want."

However, he added, Serbia is ready for a compromise, and is trying to find a solution for "the comprehensive" life in Kosovo.

"It remains to be seen if the other side will understand our readiness and also be ready for a compromise," he noted.

Asked whether the speculation was true that an agreement "without signatures" would be reached today, and what kind of paper had been offered to Serbia, he responded by saying: "There has been no paper yet - a paper, if there is one, will come out of the talks."

"Nothing spectacular is happening here," Vulin remarked.

Asked whether today's round would also be the last, and whether it will be concluded today - considering that EU's Catherine Ashton, who acts as mediator on the talks, will not be in Brussels tomorrow - the Serbian official said:

"As far as Serbia is concerned this is not the last round."

Speaking a while later, Vulin confirmed unofficial information that the trilateral meeting ended after the participants addressed each other "in a raised voice."

According to him, the heated exchange was initiated by the Priština delegation, "led by Hashim Thaci", and it was Aleksandar Vučić who responded in kind. Vulin then added:

"There have been no incidents, but there have been raised voices. First Deputy PM Aleksandar Vučić knows how to fight for what he believes, so I believe his voice could have been raised, and then some."

According to Vulin, such situations are possible "when you talk with somebody who either does not, or will not understand the arguments presented to them, and then wants to convince you this is good for you."

The negotiations were then resumed after a pause with a bilateral meeting between the Serbian side and Catherine Ashton, and Vulin stated that "everybody hopes that some kind of compromise is possible."