No compromise in Vienna

No compromise in Vienna

However, both sides still clung on to their original positions in regards to the status issue.

“Me and my colleagues will now review the whole discussion and see how we can change the original plan. We will surely incorporate certain proposals which have not been discussed in Vienna. I've promised to send the amended document to both Belgrade and Priština so they could review it”, Ahtisaari said.

The second and final round of Vienna talks is scheduled for March 10, which will be the last chance for the negotiating parties to consider the plan. Following the completion of the talks in Vienna, Martti Ahtisaari should finalize his recommendations and submit the document to the UN Security council.

Following the completion of the talks, Belgrade team coordinator Leon Kojen said that, as was expected, Belgrade and Priština failed to reach agreement. “It is unclear at the moment what will the UN special Kosovo envoy do with the well-phrased and substantiated arguments and amendments we’ve presented in Vienna, and to what extent he would acknowledge them”, Kojen argued.

Priština team leader Skender Hiseni said that Belgrade kept its hard-line position regarding Ahtisaari’s status plan.

“You should now ask Ahtisaari if these talks were indeed necessary. Kosovo’s position has been the same from the beginning. We were ready to do whatever UN Envoy Ahtisaari asked us, and by engaging in the talks in Vienna we clearly demonstrated our willingness to fully co-operate with the international community”, Hiseni said.

The UN SC will have the final say as to the future of the province. The UN SC is likely to discuss and decide on the plan in April, during the UK presidency, or later in May when the United States will preside over the Council.

Belgrade team expects finalized proposal by Wednesday

Belgrade negotiating team expects to see the finalized version of Ahtisaari’s plan next Wednesday and prepare for the last meeting in Vienna scheduled for March 10, team member Sanda Rašković-Ivić said.

“Ahtisaari told both sides today he would incorporate the stances Belgrade and Priština presented in Vienna into the final plan to be completed by Thursday, March 8”, Ivić added.