Ceku, Ischinger meet in Priština

Kosovo Prime Minister Agim Ceku and EU's Troika envoy Wolfgang Ischinger met in Pristina Thursday. Ceku told the German diplomat that additional negotiations should be used for, as he put it, the development of neighborly relations between Kosovo and Serbia, the Kosovo government said in a statement late on Thursday. Ceku, Ischinger meet in Pristina The statement delivered to Tanjug said that Ceku talked with the German diplomat informally in scope of his visit to Kosovo aimed at gaining an insight into the situation in the province. According to the statement, Ceku conveyed to Ischinger important points related to the development of Kosovo and added that, his vision is that Kosovo should become an independent, sovereign, democratic, multiethnic, secular and functional state. Ischinger arrived in Pristina late on Thursday and met with Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu right after. He reiterated the Troika will not table status solution ideas of its own, expecting instead the two sides to come up with fresh ideas to solve the crisis. Ischinger will continue meetings in Pristina on Friday as well. His visit is taking place several days ahead of the announced first meeting of the international mediators with the delegations of Kosovo Albanians and Serbian officials in Vienna, on August 30. Ceku, Ischinger in Pristina Thursday (FoNet) EU supports Ahtisaari's plan: Johansson EU High Representative Javier Solana's personal envoy in Kosovo and head of the EU Office in Pristina, Jonas Johansson, said Thursday that the EU supported UN special envoy Martti Ahtisaari's plan for Kosovo. After a meeting with Kosovo Premier Agim Ceku, Johansson said the EU "truly appreciated the Kosovo side's efforts aimed at successfully completing the status resolution process". "The EU greatly appreciated Kosovo's readiness to continue the process. The EU has also clearly said that the period of additional negotiations should be limited and end without other unnecessary delays," he said. Ceku pointed out that the Kosovo issue must be treated as a European one, which was why all EU members should maintain a united stand on the Ahtisaari plan and recognize Kosovo's independence after the additional 120-day talks. "Delays do not make difficult decisions easier, they still have to be made, and we are asking the EU to remain united on the Ahtisaari proposal and recognize independence after 120 days," Ceku said.

Ceku, Ischinger meet in Priština

The statement delivered to Tanjug said that Ceku talked with the German diplomat informally in scope of his visit to Kosovo aimed at gaining an insight into the situation in the province.

According to the statement, Ceku conveyed to Ischinger important points related to the development of Kosovo and added that, his vision is that Kosovo should become an independent, sovereign, democratic, multiethnic, secular and functional state.

Ischinger arrived in Priština late on Thursday and met with Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu right after. He reiterated the Troika will not table status solution ideas of its own, expecting instead the two sides to come up with fresh ideas to solve the crisis.

Ischinger will continue meetings in Priština on Friday as well. His visit is taking place several days ahead of the announced first meeting of the international mediators with the delegations of Kosovo Albanians and Serbian officials in Vienna, on August 30.

EU supports Ahtisaari's plan: Johansson

EU High Representative Javier Solana's personal envoy in Kosovo and head of the EU Office in Priština, Jonas Johansson, said Thursday that the EU supported UN special envoy Martti Ahtisaari's plan for Kosovo.

After a meeting with Kosovo Premier Agim Ceku, Johansson said the EU "truly appreciated the Kosovo side's efforts aimed at successfully completing the status resolution process".

"The EU greatly appreciated Kosovo's readiness to continue the process. The EU has also clearly said that the period of additional negotiations should be limited and end without other unnecessary delays," he said.

Ceku pointed out that the Kosovo issue must be treated as a European one, which was why all EU members should maintain a united stand on the Ahtisaari plan and recognize Kosovo's independence after the additional 120-day talks.

"Delays do not make difficult decisions easier, they still have to be made, and we are asking the EU to remain united on the Ahtisaari proposal and recognize independence after 120 days," Ceku said.