Kosovo leaders confident of imminent independence

Hashim Thaci and Fatmir Sejdiu say that support exists for Kosovo’s immediate independence. On the Kosovo president's return from New York, Sejdiu and Prime Minister-elect Thaci both said that they were happy with the last UN Security Council session where the Contact Group mediating Troika report came under scrutiny. Kosovo leaders confident of imminent independence What was most important for the two men was that Kosovo was now entering the finishing strait in its journey towards self-determination. Sejdiu said that, with the exception of Russia which favored a resumption of the negotiating process, strong support was displayed for a speedy resolution to the province’s status. “The best result is that Kosovo is nearing the end of the self-determination process,” said the Kosovo president. He said that the main conclusion that Kosovo leaders had drawn from the meeting at the UN was that the Ahtisaari Plan for supervised independence offered the best solution. Claiming that new Kosovo institutions would synchronize their activities with the U.S. and the EU, Thaci dismissed concerns of hasty moves on Pristina’s part. “We’re making the final preparations and expect encouragement from our friends to move forward quickly,” he said, adding that Kosovo was already prepared for independence and that there was no time to lose. In the next few days, the resumption of complicated consultations over forming the new government await Thaci, talks that were postponed because of the UN Security Council session. Although it is certain that his Democratic Party of Kosovo will enter a coalition with Sejdiu’s Democratic Union of Kosovo, the two parties have a number of matters still to resolve – from the selection of other coalition partners to the distribution of appointments within government ministries. The complexity of the situation is highlighted by the fact that foreign observes do not expect the new government to be formed until the New Year. Fatmir Sejdiu (FoNet, archive) Tadic awaiting next session Belgrade was also satisfied with proceedings at the UN, as, according to President Boris Tadic, Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica defended Serbia’s interests very well. Tadic said that talks on Kosovo’s status should be resumed. “Resuming the negotiating process depends on the next Security Council session. I wouldn’t be surprised if a new session was called in January. We’ll continue to defend our legitimate state position and our interests in Kosovo,” said the president. Reacting to the most recent claims concerning a unilateral declaration of independence by Pristina, he reiterated that such announcements had been coming from the Kosovo Albanians for years.

Kosovo leaders confident of imminent independence

What was most important for the two men was that Kosovo was now entering the finishing strait in its journey towards self-determination.

Sejdiu said that, with the exception of Russia which favored a resumption of the negotiating process, strong support was displayed for a speedy resolution to the province’s status.

“The best result is that Kosovo is nearing the end of the self-determination process,” said the Kosovo president.

He said that the main conclusion that Kosovo leaders had drawn from the meeting at the UN was that the Ahtisaari Plan for supervised independence offered the best solution.

Claiming that new Kosovo institutions would synchronize their activities with the U.S. and the EU, Thaci dismissed concerns of hasty moves on Priština’s part.

“We’re making the final preparations and expect encouragement from our friends to move forward quickly,” he said, adding that Kosovo was already prepared for independence and that there was no time to lose.

In the next few days, the resumption of complicated consultations over forming the new government await Thaci, talks that were postponed because of the UN Security Council session.

Although it is certain that his Democratic Party of Kosovo will enter a coalition with Sejdiu’s Democratic Union of Kosovo, the two parties have a number of matters still to resolve – from the selection of other coalition partners to the distribution of appointments within government ministries.

The complexity of the situation is highlighted by the fact that foreign observes do not expect the new government to be formed until the New Year.

Tadić awaiting next session

Belgrade was also satisfied with proceedings at the UN, as, according to President Boris Tadić, Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica defended Serbia’s interests very well.

Tadić said that talks on Kosovo’s status should be resumed.

“Resuming the negotiating process depends on the next Security Council session. I wouldn’t be surprised if a new session was called in January. We’ll continue to defend our legitimate state position and our interests in Kosovo,” said the president.

Reacting to the most recent claims concerning a unilateral declaration of independence by Priština, he reiterated that such announcements had been coming from the Kosovo Albanians for years.