UK envoy: Serbs should take part in elections

British Ambassador to Serbia Stephen Wordsworth says Serbs in Kosovo should take part in the forthcoming elections there. It is "the parliament in Pristina takes decisions which concern their lives", he told B92, and added that "this would not mean recognizing Kosovo's independence, that is not an issue for individual persons but for states". UK envoy: Serbs should take part in elections Wordsworth, who will be leaving Serbia in a few weeks, said his greatest impression of Serbia is the progress the country has achieved in the past four years, and particularly in the past few months. Asked how long it will take for Serbia to get the status of candidate for European Union membership, he said it "should not take too long, perhaps in 2011". As regards Kosovo, Wordsworth said that Serbia and the UK disagree on the fundamental issue of status - "Serbia is determined not to recognize Kosovo's independence, while the UK has done so". "This is something that cannot be overcome at this time," he said. Wordsworth pointed to the importance of dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, noting that the EU would like the dialogue to start, but that the situation was complicated by the sudden elections in Kosovo. "The idea was for the EU to support that process with its High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton," Wordsworth said, adding that it would be best if Belgrade and Pristina were to talk directly, without the need for any mediation.

UK envoy: Serbs should take part in elections

Wordsworth, who will be leaving Serbia in a few weeks, said his greatest impression of Serbia is the progress the country has achieved in the past four years, and particularly in the past few months.

Asked how long it will take for Serbia to get the status of candidate for European Union membership, he said it "should not take too long, perhaps in 2011".

As regards Kosovo, Wordsworth said that Serbia and the UK disagree on the fundamental issue of status - "Serbia is determined not to recognize Kosovo's independence, while the UK has done so".

"This is something that cannot be overcome at this time," he said.

Wordsworth pointed to the importance of dialogue between Belgrade and Priština, noting that the EU would like the dialogue to start, but that the situation was complicated by the sudden elections in Kosovo.

"The idea was for the EU to support that process with its High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton," Wordsworth said, adding that it would be best if Belgrade and Priština were to talk directly, without the need for any mediation.