EU delegation travels to Moscow

EU delegation travels to Moscow

Ahead of the recent Serbian elections, Moscow repeated its position that all options remained open, including that of a UN SC veto, saying that the only acceptable solution to Kosovo’s status would be that reached through negotiations between Belgrade and Priština.

Reliable European diplomatic sources are reported as saying that Moscow at the time told EU official Stefan Lehne that Russia, while supporting close consultations with Brussels, believed any solution imposed on Serbia would have very negative consequences.

Russia therefore favors negotiations and both sided engaging in consultations based on UN Kosovo envoy Martti Ahtisaari’s plan, sources said, adding that Moscow at the same time made it clear overall Russian interests will also play a part in its final position on Kosovo.

Virtually all EU member states believe that the Union’s new role in Kosovo will not be possible without “an international legal framework”.

Only a new UN SC resolution can provide one, in turn making it necessary for the EU to try and bring Russia and China on board. Beijing has already indicated that it will follow Moscow’s lead in the matter.

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana has for the past several months engaged in a determined search for a unified EU position on Kosovo, as well as a single approach to Serbia, Russia and other partners, with the goal of reaching a deal on the province’s future.

A European Commission official speaking on condition of anonymity said that Moscow’s attention will also be drawn to the fact “the EU has important projects in the pipeline for Serbia”.