President Tadić says his policy has been "confirmed"

Until now Kosovo was represented by UNMIK and it was UNMIK who would sign deals in the name of Kosovo. From now, Kosovo is represented by its own people and Kosovo will sign deals, not UNMIK. I do not know how Tadic is calling this a victory. Also, today the deal about the IBM ( Integrated Border management) was signed which means, there will be borders between Kosovo and Serbia. Its sad that Tadic didnt talk at all about the border agreement.

Hashim Thaci says something, Boris Tadic says something else. Somebody is lying here. My job is not to tell you who's lying. If you're old enough to write then you can decide for yourself.

Montenegro received candidate status at the end of 2010.
Macedonia received candidate status at the end of2005.
Croatia received candidate status in the beginning of 2004.
Turkey received candidate status at the end of 1999.

What does this all mean? It means that receiving candidate status means nothing but that. Joining the EU is a different ballgame. Tadic is championing this as a win win when it isn't. Serbia made EVERY concession to the Albanians while all they received in return was someone telling them they "might" be able to join "someday". Also, the ALbanians gave Serbia NOTHING during these status talks. Everyone knows Serbia wasn't going to recognize Kosova during these talks even though Thaci kept saying it. This is a negotiating technique...you ask for the world and hopefully meet in the middle or even more. The ALbanians received agreements on almost EVERYTHING that they demanded. Would Serbia have agreed to any of this stuff in 2000? Why is 2012 different? Ask yourselves that! In my world, one doesn't make concessions to anybody if they believe that they are the rightful owners. I thought Serbia is the rightful owner of Kosova? I guess not.

New options for our people? Like what? Working in Germany (the only country with money in the EU)? We already work in Germany lol.

Anyway, noone is forgetting Tadic always acted weak when it came to Kosovo. He showed no support to the people of Kosovo when the KFOR NATO terrorisers were provoking the Serb citizens in Kosovo. That is their home and always has been.

Tadic should have stood up more for the citizens of Kosovo. It's almost like as if he thinks he is above them and because they're poor they don't matter as much as other municipalities in Serbia. He has to remember that we all come from the farms.

If Tadic stays in power then I hope he will toughen up in regards to Kosovo. I hope he won't bow down to the demands of Germany/US and instead do what the Serbian people want and what they see as right.

I agree - tadic's policy of an indpendent kosovo has been confirmed. Kosovo will be equal to Serbia in forums and conferences. Tadic is saying boldly that Kosovo is an independent country.

(Comm. Parrisson, 24 February 2012 18:26)

For your information:

1.) Kosovo strengthen his territory by enforcing his borders using IBM
2.) Serbian Elections on Kosovo soil are passé.
3.) Serbia recognized that Kosovo can establish ties with other states with no limitation.
4.) UNMIK is now even in Serbia's eyes dead.

and 5.) Serbia gets EU candidacy with which it can do..... --> Nothing!
It is purely political and has no real benefit at all. Serbia still needs a negotiation date and a long process until real membership. And now guess how much Serbia has work in order to achieve that.

Just as Koha Ditore said, it is a compromise with concessions, but Serbia just made a step of a long, long road, and you celebrate it as a complete victory. My comment for all of this: Haha! Thanks a lot!

President Tadić says his policy has been preserved.

And still you will not win the elections this time. Why did you accept that Pristina be represented without the presence of UNMIK? Aren't they the enforcers and the symbol of 1244 still being in place?

In my world, one doesn't make concessions to anybody if they believe that they are the rightful owners. I thought Serbia is the rightful owner of Kosova? I guess not.
(USA United States of Albania, 24 February 2012 15:48)

Firstly I will acknowledge the first part of your comment (which I didn't copy & paste) where you talked about this candidature meaning nothing.

I agree.

Like the countries that you mentioned - most of them got absolutely nowhere and only Croatia finally has made it.

I also believe Tadic claiming this as a win is just a bit of 'drama'

I see you have mentioned 'tactics' used for negotiations etc "ask the world and then meet somewhere halfway or more etc"

You also have to understand that Serbia is in a rock and a hard place but at the same time the rock may not be keeping Serbia in a hard place for a long time.

Just think about everything that's happening in the world right now and the power shift away from America and toward China & Russia. You can't deny this.

Also keep in mind that China & Russia support Serbia regarding Kosovo.

Things don't happen over night and concessions sometimes have to be made however, I still see this as a frozen conflict and keeping the status quo because whilst we maintain the footnote of 1244 then this is beneficial to us. The court ruling footnote simply mentions that technically the declaration was not illegal because it was made in a personal capacity, also there is no precedent in international law so the ruling was more about a technicality.

To be honest, Thaci & Co. kept going on about how 1244 is unacceptable bla bla well it's now stamped in your face every time you read about Kosovo you'll see 1244. The court ruling is no issue because it doesn't give any strong grounds to Pristina, it only makes a statement that it wasn't 'illegal'. It's basically a loophole and using a loophole never really works out in the long run.

Slowly you'll see a lot of Serbs return to Kosovo and Germany will give up on Serbia abolishing "parallel institutions".

And to answer your question: Correct, Serbia is the rightful owner of Kosovo :)

There is no joy abou this agreement from people in Kosovo. Everyone knows that Thaci let them down and i strongly predict massive protests and not be surprised if Thaci stands down (he will never win another election that’s for sure) and the agreement CANCEL. I've never seen such anger from people in the streets of Pristina.
The Americans and the EU diplomats have greatly underestimated people reaction. Frankly, Thaci was bullied into signing the agreement and he has to face the reactions from his people.
All I know is that this is not ending here. EU and USA better start thinking fast and offer something worthwhile to Kosovo if they want Thaci to survive.

For this you have suffered much,Mr.Tadic, and we thought of you cool down with a sweet. This time we have not thrown the Joker,because we need it for the other games.......

From an outsiders point of you, this seems like Kosovo has

1) A whole lot more than autonomy
2) A little less than independence

@Comm. Parrison
'Kosovo must be represented symmetrically, like all others, as an independent state'

The answer for you is in the EU press release: As regards Kosovo, this is important as it makes Kosovo a full participant in its own right in
regional meetings and events and will allow for further progress to contractual relations with the
EU. Kosovo will thus follow the same European course as all others in the Western Balkans, in line with its European perspective. In this light, the Commission proposes to launch a feasibility study for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement between Kosovo and the EU.

Does the EU start contractual with Vojvodina? No, why? Because it is part of Serbia!

The footnote is like a snow bubble which will melt over the winter,so stated Edita Tahiri,the representative of the Kosovo delegation.

Congratualtions Mr! It looks like you will please the radicals and the pro-EU crowd and get re-elected.

The radicals will argue that 1244 is still in effect and the moderates will be pleased once you Serbia receives candidate status.

Congratualtions to Mr. Thaqi. Now that Kosovo can sit next to Serbia and other countries and have its voice heard in regional forums should see an increase in support and will get re-elected.

Isn't it funny how politicians can come together when it benefits their personal agenda even though they may appear as adversaries. This is one of the oldest tricks in the book.

But, here's how it could backfire. Kosovo gets to represent itself as any other country at these forums and the borders are manned by KPS personnel and the situation has not reverted to the way it was before July 2011.
Say, could a guy like Kostunica use this as leverage? And, how about Romania who came out blasting Serbia out of nowhere concerning the rights of Romanians?

The Self Determination movement could use this agreement against Thaqi to win additional votes.

In the end, did the tide really turn over?

From an outsiders point of you, this seems like Kosovo has

1) A whole lot more than autonomy
2) A little less than independence
(Kujon, 24 February 2012 18:31)
And validation that it is no longer tied to Serbia, with its own representation to regional meetings which will include EU. Plus it no longer has to speak through UNMIK nor have UNMIK speak for it. All in all Kosovo made a huge leap today, but at the same time did not humiliate Serbia, thus enabling the reelection of the pro EU parties.
Once Serbia attains Candidate status you will see more progress in Kosovo.

I'm devastated, the Serbs just played into the hands of the Albanian. I never thought that Stefanovic could be so stupid. This is the chink in the armor the Albanians have been looking for. Now the Albos will smirk every time we have to face them at international meetings. What did we gain from all these concessions since we can't even be sure this will lead to EU candidate status. And, even if Serbia gets candidacy, it will be years, as like Turkey, till the EU will let us join. Just watch and see how many more hurdles will be put in front of Serbia in order to join the EU. The Serbs have been duped and I am deeply humiliated and disgusted by such stupidity. Is this all that Kosovo meant to Serbia?

"All I know is that this is not ending here. EU and USA better start thinking fast and offer something worthwhile to Kosovo if they want Thaci to survive.
(Ilir, 24 February 2012 20:54) "

What was the mood after Kosovo's representatives signed the Rambouillet Accords and Milosevic didn't? How did that all work out, remember?

The U.S. just last week signed a SOFA (status of forces agreement) with Kosovo - the first step toward joining NATO. The EU has already started talks on ending the visa requirements for the Schengen countries and has promised a feasibility study for a Stability and Association Agreement. Supervised independence should be ending this year. And then there are the ways Serbia's control of the north will be weakened. Thaci seems to know what he's doing. And if Serbia had agreed to the word "Republic" - exactly what would that have meant, in and of itself? If the Serbs are satisfied with symbolism, how does that help them, or hurt you?

"This is a negotiating technique...you ask for the world and hopefully meet in the middle or even more. The ALbanians received agreements on almost EVERYTHING that they demanded. "
(USA United States of Albania, 24 February 2012 15:48)

You mean things like

- 'Kosovo must be represented under it's official name, Republic of Kosovo'
- 'UN1244 is dead, and thus it cannot be mentioned beside the name of Kosovo'
- 'Kosovo must be represented symmetrically, like all others, as an independent state'

and similar demands? Sure, all fulfilled. :)

About negotiations: The Belgrade-Pristina talks are sponsored by the EU, and it should be clear who's setting the rules and who's in a position to demand anything.

The devil is in the details: "Tadić welcomed the agreement reached in the talks regarding Kosovo, which says that Priština will be represented in regional meetings under UN Resolution 1244, meaning that it will not be present as an independent country, according to a statement."

Does this mean Kosovo can be represented as an independent state in "international" meetings?

Tadic and his government is pathetic.

I have always stated that you cannot eat a whole loaf of bread at once but you can finish it slice by slice.
Thaci has just eaten another slice.
If Serbs are not careful and get rid of this Tadic traitor they will be left with only the ends.

In the beginning of his term Serbs lived normal life in Northern Kosovo, then KAlbanians came and made a mess. Tadic couldn't protect his people against it.
(aaayyy, 25 February 2012 10:51)

Don't be concerned about that. As sj's brilliant econonomic, financial and political analysis about global affairs has shown, nobody, and I say it again, nobody will dare touch the Serbs because Russia is watching LOL

Good job Kosova!
Our neighbor FYROM represent itself without it constitutional name.
The thing that I want to know is ,will Kosova now be able to get UEFA ,FIFA,OSCE ,ect, membership.
Anyone got more info from the agreement?
I would have like representation with "Republic of Kosovo" and case closed ,but even as it is ,is giant step forward for Kosova .
Congratulations!!

In the beginning of his term Serbs lived normal life in Northern Kosovo, then KAlbanians came and made a mess. Tadic couldn't protect his people against it.

Good job Kosova!
Our neighbor FYROM represent itself without it constitutional name.
The thing that I want to know is ,will Kosova now be able to get UEFA ,FIFA,OSCE ,ect, membership.
Anyone got more info from the agreement?
I would have like representation with "Republic of Kosovo" and case closed ,but even as it is ,is giant step forward for Kosova .
Congratulations!!
(delon, 25 February 2012 03:08)

So long as the Unmik guy gets to be the goalkeeper.
Arrangements Regarding Regional Representation and Cooperation

1. Both parties confirm their commitment to effective, inclusive and representative regional cooperation.

2. To this effect 'Kosovo*' is the only denomination to be used within the framework of regional cooperation.

3. The footnote to be applied to the asterisk in para 2 above will read
"This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSC 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence."

4. 'Kosovo*' participates on its own account and speaks for itself at all regional meetings.

5. Where new agreements are to be initialled and/or signed, a representative of 'Kosovo*' will sign under the designation in paras 2 and 3 above.

6. As concerns modifications to existing agreements signed by UNMIK, nothing in these conclusions will be interpreted as prejudicial to UNMIK's legal rights. A representative of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) will bi invited to meetings organised within the framework of arrangements for which it is a signatory. It is for UNMIK to decide whether to attend any particular meeting.

7. Hosts of meetings will be encouraged to avoid the display of national symbols except for their own and those of the EU, taking into account the statutes of relevant organisations.

8. The EU as Facilitator will inform relevant regional organisations and entities of these arrangements for denomination, representation and signiture. They should be reflected in the practical organisation of regional meetings. The EU will monitor the implementation of these arrangements.

9. Both parties and the EU will urge partners to support these arrangements and to assist in their implementation.

10. The regional organisations referred to in these conclusions are existing and future intergovernmental organisations or arrangements whose aim is to promote cooperation or integration in the Balkan region. "Regional meetings" inclides meetings of these organisations and also ad-hoc or informal meetings with similar aims. It also includes meetings with EU institutions in the context of the European agenda.

11. These arrangements are adopted on an interim basis.

Montenegro received candidate status at the end of 2010.
Macedonia received candidate status at the end of2005.
Croatia received candidate status in the beginning of 2004.
Turkey received candidate status at the end of 1999.

What does this all mean? It means that receiving candidate status means nothing but that. Joining the EU is a different ballgame. Tadic is championing this as a win win when it isn't. Serbia made EVERY concession to the Albanians while all they received in return was someone telling them they "might" be able to join "someday". Also, the ALbanians gave Serbia NOTHING during these status talks. Everyone knows Serbia wasn't going to recognize Kosova during these talks even though Thaci kept saying it. This is a negotiating technique...you ask for the world and hopefully meet in the middle or even more. The ALbanians received agreements on almost EVERYTHING that they demanded. Would Serbia have agreed to any of this stuff in 2000? Why is 2012 different? Ask yourselves that! In my world, one doesn't make concessions to anybody if they believe that they are the rightful owners. I thought Serbia is the rightful owner of Kosova? I guess not.

New options for our people? Like what? Working in Germany (the only country with money in the EU)? We already work in Germany lol.

Anyway, noone is forgetting Tadic always acted weak when it came to Kosovo. He showed no support to the people of Kosovo when the KFOR NATO terrorisers were provoking the Serb citizens in Kosovo. That is their home and always has been.

Tadic should have stood up more for the citizens of Kosovo. It's almost like as if he thinks he is above them and because they're poor they don't matter as much as other municipalities in Serbia. He has to remember that we all come from the farms.

If Tadic stays in power then I hope he will toughen up in regards to Kosovo. I hope he won't bow down to the demands of Germany/US and instead do what the Serbian people want and what they see as right.

In my world, one doesn't make concessions to anybody if they believe that they are the rightful owners. I thought Serbia is the rightful owner of Kosova? I guess not.
(USA United States of Albania, 24 February 2012 15:48)

Firstly I will acknowledge the first part of your comment (which I didn't copy & paste) where you talked about this candidature meaning nothing.

I agree.

Like the countries that you mentioned - most of them got absolutely nowhere and only Croatia finally has made it.

I also believe Tadic claiming this as a win is just a bit of 'drama'

I see you have mentioned 'tactics' used for negotiations etc "ask the world and then meet somewhere halfway or more etc"

You also have to understand that Serbia is in a rock and a hard place but at the same time the rock may not be keeping Serbia in a hard place for a long time.

Just think about everything that's happening in the world right now and the power shift away from America and toward China & Russia. You can't deny this.

Also keep in mind that China & Russia support Serbia regarding Kosovo.

Things don't happen over night and concessions sometimes have to be made however, I still see this as a frozen conflict and keeping the status quo because whilst we maintain the footnote of 1244 then this is beneficial to us. The court ruling footnote simply mentions that technically the declaration was not illegal because it was made in a personal capacity, also there is no precedent in international law so the ruling was more about a technicality.

To be honest, Thaci & Co. kept going on about how 1244 is unacceptable bla bla well it's now stamped in your face every time you read about Kosovo you'll see 1244. The court ruling is no issue because it doesn't give any strong grounds to Pristina, it only makes a statement that it wasn't 'illegal'. It's basically a loophole and using a loophole never really works out in the long run.

Slowly you'll see a lot of Serbs return to Kosovo and Germany will give up on Serbia abolishing "parallel institutions".

And to answer your question: Correct, Serbia is the rightful owner of Kosovo :)

There is no joy abou this agreement from people in Kosovo. Everyone knows that Thaci let them down and i strongly predict massive protests and not be surprised if Thaci stands down (he will never win another election that’s for sure) and the agreement CANCEL. I've never seen such anger from people in the streets of Pristina.
The Americans and the EU diplomats have greatly underestimated people reaction. Frankly, Thaci was bullied into signing the agreement and he has to face the reactions from his people.
All I know is that this is not ending here. EU and USA better start thinking fast and offer something worthwhile to Kosovo if they want Thaci to survive.

"This is a negotiating technique...you ask for the world and hopefully meet in the middle or even more. The ALbanians received agreements on almost EVERYTHING that they demanded. "
(USA United States of Albania, 24 February 2012 15:48)

You mean things like

- 'Kosovo must be represented under it's official name, Republic of Kosovo'
- 'UN1244 is dead, and thus it cannot be mentioned beside the name of Kosovo'
- 'Kosovo must be represented symmetrically, like all others, as an independent state'

and similar demands? Sure, all fulfilled. :)

About negotiations: The Belgrade-Pristina talks are sponsored by the EU, and it should be clear who's setting the rules and who's in a position to demand anything.

From an outsiders point of you, this seems like Kosovo has

1) A whole lot more than autonomy
2) A little less than independence

Congratualtions Mr! It looks like you will please the radicals and the pro-EU crowd and get re-elected.

The radicals will argue that 1244 is still in effect and the moderates will be pleased once you Serbia receives candidate status.

Congratualtions to Mr. Thaqi. Now that Kosovo can sit next to Serbia and other countries and have its voice heard in regional forums should see an increase in support and will get re-elected.

Isn't it funny how politicians can come together when it benefits their personal agenda even though they may appear as adversaries. This is one of the oldest tricks in the book.

But, here's how it could backfire. Kosovo gets to represent itself as any other country at these forums and the borders are manned by KPS personnel and the situation has not reverted to the way it was before July 2011.
Say, could a guy like Kostunica use this as leverage? And, how about Romania who came out blasting Serbia out of nowhere concerning the rights of Romanians?

The Self Determination movement could use this agreement against Thaqi to win additional votes.

In the end, did the tide really turn over?

For this you have suffered much,Mr.Tadic, and we thought of you cool down with a sweet. This time we have not thrown the Joker,because we need it for the other games.......

(Comm. Parrisson, 24 February 2012 18:26)

For your information:

1.) Kosovo strengthen his territory by enforcing his borders using IBM
2.) Serbian Elections on Kosovo soil are passé.
3.) Serbia recognized that Kosovo can establish ties with other states with no limitation.
4.) UNMIK is now even in Serbia's eyes dead.

and 5.) Serbia gets EU candidacy with which it can do..... --> Nothing!
It is purely political and has no real benefit at all. Serbia still needs a negotiation date and a long process until real membership. And now guess how much Serbia has work in order to achieve that.

Just as Koha Ditore said, it is a compromise with concessions, but Serbia just made a step of a long, long road, and you celebrate it as a complete victory. My comment for all of this: Haha! Thanks a lot!

The footnote is like a snow bubble which will melt over the winter,so stated Edita Tahiri,the representative of the Kosovo delegation.

President Tadić says his policy has been preserved.

And still you will not win the elections this time. Why did you accept that Pristina be represented without the presence of UNMIK? Aren't they the enforcers and the symbol of 1244 still being in place?

Until now Kosovo was represented by UNMIK and it was UNMIK who would sign deals in the name of Kosovo. From now, Kosovo is represented by its own people and Kosovo will sign deals, not UNMIK. I do not know how Tadic is calling this a victory. Also, today the deal about the IBM ( Integrated Border management) was signed which means, there will be borders between Kosovo and Serbia. Its sad that Tadic didnt talk at all about the border agreement.

I agree - tadic's policy of an indpendent kosovo has been confirmed. Kosovo will be equal to Serbia in forums and conferences. Tadic is saying boldly that Kosovo is an independent country.

"All I know is that this is not ending here. EU and USA better start thinking fast and offer something worthwhile to Kosovo if they want Thaci to survive.
(Ilir, 24 February 2012 20:54) "

What was the mood after Kosovo's representatives signed the Rambouillet Accords and Milosevic didn't? How did that all work out, remember?

The U.S. just last week signed a SOFA (status of forces agreement) with Kosovo - the first step toward joining NATO. The EU has already started talks on ending the visa requirements for the Schengen countries and has promised a feasibility study for a Stability and Association Agreement. Supervised independence should be ending this year. And then there are the ways Serbia's control of the north will be weakened. Thaci seems to know what he's doing. And if Serbia had agreed to the word "Republic" - exactly what would that have meant, in and of itself? If the Serbs are satisfied with symbolism, how does that help them, or hurt you?

Good job Kosova!
Our neighbor FYROM represent itself without it constitutional name.
The thing that I want to know is ,will Kosova now be able to get UEFA ,FIFA,OSCE ,ect, membership.
Anyone got more info from the agreement?
I would have like representation with "Republic of Kosovo" and case closed ,but even as it is ,is giant step forward for Kosova .
Congratulations!!

I have always stated that you cannot eat a whole loaf of bread at once but you can finish it slice by slice.
Thaci has just eaten another slice.
If Serbs are not careful and get rid of this Tadic traitor they will be left with only the ends.

In the beginning of his term Serbs lived normal life in Northern Kosovo, then KAlbanians came and made a mess. Tadic couldn't protect his people against it.

Hashim Thaci says something, Boris Tadic says something else. Somebody is lying here. My job is not to tell you who's lying. If you're old enough to write then you can decide for yourself.

@Comm. Parrison
'Kosovo must be represented symmetrically, like all others, as an independent state'

The answer for you is in the EU press release: As regards Kosovo, this is important as it makes Kosovo a full participant in its own right in
regional meetings and events and will allow for further progress to contractual relations with the
EU. Kosovo will thus follow the same European course as all others in the Western Balkans, in line with its European perspective. In this light, the Commission proposes to launch a feasibility study for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement between Kosovo and the EU.

Does the EU start contractual with Vojvodina? No, why? Because it is part of Serbia!

From an outsiders point of you, this seems like Kosovo has

1) A whole lot more than autonomy
2) A little less than independence
(Kujon, 24 February 2012 18:31)
And validation that it is no longer tied to Serbia, with its own representation to regional meetings which will include EU. Plus it no longer has to speak through UNMIK nor have UNMIK speak for it. All in all Kosovo made a huge leap today, but at the same time did not humiliate Serbia, thus enabling the reelection of the pro EU parties.
Once Serbia attains Candidate status you will see more progress in Kosovo.

In the beginning of his term Serbs lived normal life in Northern Kosovo, then KAlbanians came and made a mess. Tadic couldn't protect his people against it.
(aaayyy, 25 February 2012 10:51)

Don't be concerned about that. As sj's brilliant econonomic, financial and political analysis about global affairs has shown, nobody, and I say it again, nobody will dare touch the Serbs because Russia is watching LOL

The devil is in the details: "Tadić welcomed the agreement reached in the talks regarding Kosovo, which says that Priština will be represented in regional meetings under UN Resolution 1244, meaning that it will not be present as an independent country, according to a statement."

Does this mean Kosovo can be represented as an independent state in "international" meetings?

Tadic and his government is pathetic.

I'm devastated, the Serbs just played into the hands of the Albanian. I never thought that Stefanovic could be so stupid. This is the chink in the armor the Albanians have been looking for. Now the Albos will smirk every time we have to face them at international meetings. What did we gain from all these concessions since we can't even be sure this will lead to EU candidate status. And, even if Serbia gets candidacy, it will be years, as like Turkey, till the EU will let us join. Just watch and see how many more hurdles will be put in front of Serbia in order to join the EU. The Serbs have been duped and I am deeply humiliated and disgusted by such stupidity. Is this all that Kosovo meant to Serbia?

Good job Kosova!
Our neighbor FYROM represent itself without it constitutional name.
The thing that I want to know is ,will Kosova now be able to get UEFA ,FIFA,OSCE ,ect, membership.
Anyone got more info from the agreement?
I would have like representation with "Republic of Kosovo" and case closed ,but even as it is ,is giant step forward for Kosova .
Congratulations!!
(delon, 25 February 2012 03:08)

So long as the Unmik guy gets to be the goalkeeper.
Arrangements Regarding Regional Representation and Cooperation

1. Both parties confirm their commitment to effective, inclusive and representative regional cooperation.

2. To this effect 'Kosovo*' is the only denomination to be used within the framework of regional cooperation.

3. The footnote to be applied to the asterisk in para 2 above will read
"This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSC 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence."

4. 'Kosovo*' participates on its own account and speaks for itself at all regional meetings.

5. Where new agreements are to be initialled and/or signed, a representative of 'Kosovo*' will sign under the designation in paras 2 and 3 above.

6. As concerns modifications to existing agreements signed by UNMIK, nothing in these conclusions will be interpreted as prejudicial to UNMIK's legal rights. A representative of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) will bi invited to meetings organised within the framework of arrangements for which it is a signatory. It is for UNMIK to decide whether to attend any particular meeting.

7. Hosts of meetings will be encouraged to avoid the display of national symbols except for their own and those of the EU, taking into account the statutes of relevant organisations.

8. The EU as Facilitator will inform relevant regional organisations and entities of these arrangements for denomination, representation and signiture. They should be reflected in the practical organisation of regional meetings. The EU will monitor the implementation of these arrangements.

9. Both parties and the EU will urge partners to support these arrangements and to assist in their implementation.

10. The regional organisations referred to in these conclusions are existing and future intergovernmental organisations or arrangements whose aim is to promote cooperation or integration in the Balkan region. "Regional meetings" inclides meetings of these organisations and also ad-hoc or informal meetings with similar aims. It also includes meetings with EU institutions in the context of the European agenda.

11. These arrangements are adopted on an interim basis.