Kosovo talks "nearing agreement" on some issues

BRUSSELS -- Borislav Stefanović says the latest round of the Kosovo dialogue saw the two sides came close to an agreement on the cadaster and the freedom of movement.

(Tanjug)

The chief of Belgrade's team added that the EU had proposed for the issues of the missing and of cultural heritage to also be tackled.

Stefanović reiterated that the issues of the freedom of movement and land registry are very important for the everyday life of the people, stressing that a solution to the problems with the cadaster means that it is legally determined who owns the land and real estate in Kosovo.

He estimated that the Serbian side was the one that had offered all the solutions without limitations, noting that the Priština, i.e., Kosovo Albanian side, was "constantly attempting to bring each issue in connection with the status issue".

The chief of the Priština negotiating team, Edita Tahiri, said that the meeting was useful and productive, that the two sides have come closer to agreement on the freedom of movement and the issues of electricity and telecommunications.

She said that the issue of missing persons, religious sites damaged during the war and the recognition of university diplomas, have been initiated in principle.

Robert Cooper, adviser to EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton, also participated in the two-day talks, which started in Brussels on May 17.

The fourth meeting of the dialogue "was productive and brought a number of issues close to agreement", the EU said Wednesday.

The next meeting will be held in mid-June and will focus on issues such as missing persons, religious and cultural heritage and recognition of university and school diplomas.