"Kosovo-EU negotiations model still sought"

BELGRADE Tanja Miscevic has said that "modalities for binding the EU negotiations with normalization of relations with Pristina" are being looked for in Brussels. "Neither we nor the EC know which of the items in the negotiations may refer to the process of normalization," said Serbia's chief negotiator for the EU accession talks. "Kosovo-EU negotiations model still sought" She spoke during a visit to Brussels, where another round of screening was held on Tuesday. Miscevic added that Serbia was attempting to, via diplomatic channels, influence the final version of the negotiating platform, which the EU is still discussing - and that this was "having an effect." "The European Commission and most member states are close to accepting our position," said Miscevic. "I think that neither Germany nor the UK are against it, but just want to get a guarantee that the normalization process will run smoothly. All this has an effect, but we should not rejoice in advance until I see the negotiating framework," she was quoted as saying. This official explained that Germany and Britain "are asking that essential issues related to Kosovo be discussed in Chapter 35, but in other chapters as well." "It is not clear what will happen when these issues arise, whether they will remain in Chapter 35 or be transferred to other sections," said Miscevic. According to her, "it sounds like a technical detail, but for us it is a very important technical issue, because we would then, besides with Brussels, also have to negotiate with Pristina about these things." Miscevic pointed out that Serbia "both in words and deeds" had proved that it was keen for the normalization of relations with Pristina to continue, and that this was evident "in the local elections." "Credibility is difficult to acquire and easy to lose," she concluded. (Beta, file) Tanjug

"Kosovo-EU negotiations model still sought"

She spoke during a visit to Brussels, where another round of screening was held on Tuesday.

Miščević added that Serbia was attempting to, via diplomatic channels, influence the final version of the negotiating platform, which the EU is still discussing - and that this was "having an effect."

"The European Commission and most member states are close to accepting our position," said Miščević.

"I think that neither Germany nor the UK are against it, but just want to get a guarantee that the normalization process will run smoothly. All this has an effect, but we should not rejoice in advance until I see the negotiating framework," she was quoted as saying.

This official explained that Germany and Britain "are asking that essential issues related to Kosovo be discussed in Chapter 35, but in other chapters as well."

"It is not clear what will happen when these issues arise, whether they will remain in Chapter 35 or be transferred to other sections," said Miščević.
According to her, "it sounds like a technical detail, but for us it is a very important technical issue, because we would then, besides with Brussels, also have to negotiate with Priština about these things."

Miščević pointed out that Serbia "both in words and deeds" had proved that it was keen for the normalization of relations with Priština to continue, and that this was evident "in the local elections."

"Credibility is difficult to acquire and easy to lose," she concluded.