“Purpose of talks to normalize life in Kosovo”

All issues which will be discussed with Pristina representatives will help normalize life in Kosovo, stated Head of Serbia's negotiating team Borko Stefanovic. He expects that the talks will be launched soon after the formation of a new government in Pristina. “Purpose of talks to normalize life in Kosovo” “None of the issues is technical, since they refer to people's lives. Our greatest competence in Kosovo and Metohija are people, and as far as we can protect them, offer them normal living conditions and secure their return, that will be our only goal,” Stefanovic told Frankfurt-based Serbian language daily Vesti. He said that any legitimate representative of the etnhic Albanians was acceptable as long as they were capable of realizing the agreement of the two parties and if they had never been convicted or charged. “All issues have political aspect, and in that sense they may be related to the issue of Kosovo's status. However, the positions of Belgrade and Pristina are completely opposite in this view. This is the most difficult and crucial issue that will define the future, prosperity and security of the Western Balkans, as well as Serbia's EU path. All issues that we consider will be in one way or another related to the people in Kosovo and their normal life. Moreover, we will take care of our national interest and not allow crossing of lines which Serbia has clearly defined,” Stefanovic underlined. When asked when the negotiations will begin, he said that it would be soon after the formation of a government in Pristina. “The topics are still being harmonized, and they may include telecommunications, air traffic, registries and the missing persons, but this has not been determined yet,” he underscored. Asked about the impact that Dick Marty's report on human organ trafficking may have on the Belgrade-Pristina talks, Stefanovic underlined that it would definitely affect the atmosphere of the talks, and what was even more important, change the view of the Kosovo issue which had so far been black and white. Borko Stefanovic (Tanjug, file)

“Purpose of talks to normalize life in Kosovo”

“None of the issues is technical, since they refer to people's lives. Our greatest competence in Kosovo and Metohija are people, and as far as we can protect them, offer them normal living conditions and secure their return, that will be our only goal,” Stefanović told Frankfurt-based Serbian language daily Vesti.

He said that any legitimate representative of the etnhic Albanians was acceptable as long as they were capable of realizing the agreement of the two parties and if they had never been convicted or charged.

“All issues have political aspect, and in that sense they may be related to the issue of Kosovo's status. However, the positions of Belgrade and Priština are completely opposite in this view. This is the most difficult and crucial issue that will define the future, prosperity and security of the Western Balkans, as well as Serbia's EU path. All issues that we consider will be in one way or another related to the people in Kosovo and their normal life. Moreover, we will take care of our national interest and not allow crossing of lines which Serbia has clearly defined,” Stefanović underlined.

When asked when the negotiations will begin, he said that it would be soon after the formation of a government in Priština.

“The topics are still being harmonized, and they may include telecommunications, air traffic, registries and the missing persons, but this has not been determined yet,” he underscored.

Asked about the impact that Dick Marty's report on human organ trafficking may have on the Belgrade-Priština talks, Stefanović underlined that it would definitely affect the atmosphere of the talks, and what was even more important, change the view of the Kosovo issue which had so far been black and white.