Hong Kong model proposed for Kosovo

The main theme of yesterday’s Belgrade-Priština talks was a proposal for Kosovo’s future status based on the Hong Kong model.

Izvor: B92

Tuesday, 06.11.2007.

11:07

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The main theme of yesterday’s Belgrade-Pristina talks was a proposal for Kosovo’s future status based on the Hong Kong model. At the direct talks in Vienna, Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and President Boris Tadic said, among other things, that Hong Kong could serve as an example leading to an acceptable solution for Kosovo’s status. Hong Kong model proposed for Kosovo Tadic went into more detail after the talks. “By bringing up the Hong Kong model, the Belgrade delegation has once again strengthened its proposal for effective autonomy, using an example that has now functioned for over a decade,“ he said. Kostunica said that after yesterday’s talks, it could be said that the possibility of future Serbia-Kosovo relations being based on a confederation principle had been taken off the agenda, as it resembled too closely the Kosovo Albanians’ conception of a multi-state agreement that defined relations between Serbia and Kosovo as two independent states. The prime minister also spoke of Hong Kong. “The Hong Kong model was brought up as an existing example of Belgrade’s proposal for effective autonomy. That’s an instance where everything is regulated by international law, and, while it should not be copied, it should be taken as an example that shows the spirit that international law respects,” he said. International mediating Troika representatives did not wish to react to the mention of Hong Kong as a possible model for Kosovo’s status. U.S. representative Frank Wisner said that the Troika could not discuss actual ideas that were brought up during talks, as then the sides could not be flexible enough during negotiations. Belgrade’s proposal is not acceptable to Pristina as it cannot function. Pristina team spokesman Skender Hiseni said that the Hong Kong model was confusing. “It’s unsuitable as Hong Kong and Kosovo’s historical positions are different, and the same model cannot be applied to two completely contrasting historical situations.” None of the three sides were able to say that yesterday’s talks had made any great headway, and, as on many previous occasions, blamed each other for the lack of progress. The next round of talks has been scheduled for November 20 in Brussels. Kostunica and Tadic after yesterday's talks (FoNet)

Hong Kong model proposed for Kosovo

Tadić went into more detail after the talks. “By bringing up the Hong Kong model, the Belgrade delegation has once again strengthened its proposal for effective autonomy, using an example that has now functioned for over a decade,“ he said.

Koštunica said that after yesterday’s talks, it could be said that the possibility of future Serbia-Kosovo relations being based on a confederation principle had been taken off the agenda, as it resembled too closely the Kosovo Albanians’ conception of a multi-state agreement that defined relations between Serbia and Kosovo as two independent states.

The prime minister also spoke of Hong Kong. “The Hong Kong model was brought up as an existing example of Belgrade’s proposal for effective autonomy. That’s an instance where everything is regulated by international law, and, while it should not be copied, it should be taken as an example that shows the spirit that international law respects,” he said.

International mediating Troika representatives did not wish to react to the mention of Hong Kong as a possible model for Kosovo’s status.

U.S. representative Frank Wisner said that the Troika could not discuss actual ideas that were brought up during talks, as then the sides could not be flexible enough during negotiations.

Belgrade’s proposal is not acceptable to Priština as it cannot function.

Priština team spokesman Skender Hiseni said that the Hong Kong model was confusing. “It’s unsuitable as Hong Kong and Kosovo’s historical positions are different, and the same model cannot be applied to two completely contrasting historical situations.”

None of the three sides were able to say that yesterday’s talks had made any great headway, and, as on many previous occasions, blamed each other for the lack of progress.

The next round of talks has been scheduled for November 20 in Brussels.

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