UNMIK announces technical talks

The UN mission to Kosovo has announced a new round of technical talks between Belgrade and Pristina. However, UNMIK spokesman Russel Geekie told B92 that it was not a question of classic talks between two sides, but of expert discussions between Belgrade and Pristina on technical issues. UNMIK has yet to define the exact areas of the discussions. UNMIK announces technical talks UNMIK's plan is for the talks to be direct and to be held at expert level. However, following the transfer of responsibilities from UNMIK to EULEX, it is not clear who could have a negotiating role in the new Serb-Albanian talks. Geekie himself was unable to answer this question, adding that these talks should not be interpreted as technical talks like the ones that were held earlier on. “What I said was that there is a need, as well as scope for maneuver, for international experts. UNMIK is fully prepared to help here in the capacity of technical support,“ he said. “We’re constantly holding consultations with the various subjects here. When, for example, we’re talking about temporary contracts that need to be supported by accompanying acts, the (UN) secretary general was absolutely clear that consultations and coordination need to be continued,“ said Geekie. “But you know, it’s the holidays now and we need to wait for next year and see what form the negotiations will take,“ he said. However, UNMIK has yet to discuss the matter with Belgrade. According to Kosovo Ministry State Secretary Oliver Ivanovic, the only possible topic of discussion could be the six-point plan. “No direct talks should be expected any time soon. Neither on technical or status issues,“ he said. “The likelihood is that we’ll continue talks with UNMIK, and then UNMIK, on its part, would have to try to implement everything that we agree on in talks with the temporary institutions,“ he said. “That means indirect talks, and I think we’ll discuss implementation of the already agreed six-point agreement,“ said Ivanovic. Group 21 President Dusan Janjic also thinks the six-point plan is the only theme of talks between Belgrade and Pristina. He believes that UNMIK will play the role of mediator in the forthcoming talks. “The need exists for UNMIK, on the basis of a Security Council decision on adopting the six points, to resume the role of mediator between Belgrade and EULEX, and then EULEX would communicate with the Kosovo authorities,” he said. “UNMIK will complete its reconstruction and will probably end up being a Security Council office one day, that will seek an annual report from Solana on the basis of 1244,“ surmised Janjic. Hec expects the first issues under discussion at the talks early next year to be the customs system between Kosovo and the rest of Serbia, while the second issue will be resolving judiciary problems in the province.

UNMIK announces technical talks

UNMIK's plan is for the talks to be direct and to be held at expert level.

However, following the transfer of responsibilities from UNMIK to EULEX, it is not clear who could have a negotiating role in the new Serb-Albanian talks.

Geekie himself was unable to answer this question, adding that these talks should not be interpreted as technical talks like the ones that were held earlier on.

“What I said was that there is a need, as well as scope for maneuver, for international experts. UNMIK is fully prepared to help here in the capacity of technical support,“ he said.

“We’re constantly holding consultations with the various subjects here. When, for example, we’re talking about temporary contracts that need to be supported by accompanying acts, the (UN) secretary general was absolutely clear that consultations and coordination need to be continued,“ said Geekie.

“But you know, it’s the holidays now and we need to wait for next year and see what form the negotiations will take,“ he said.

However, UNMIK has yet to discuss the matter with Belgrade.

According to Kosovo Ministry State Secretary Oliver Ivanović, the only possible topic of discussion could be the six-point plan.

“No direct talks should be expected any time soon. Neither on technical or status issues,“ he said.

“The likelihood is that we’ll continue talks with UNMIK, and then UNMIK, on its part, would have to try to implement everything that we agree on in talks with the temporary institutions,“ he said.

“That means indirect talks, and I think we’ll discuss implementation of the already agreed six-point agreement,“ said Ivanović.

Group 21 President Dušan Janjić also thinks the six-point plan is the only theme of talks between Belgrade and Priština.

He believes that UNMIK will play the role of mediator in the forthcoming talks.

“The need exists for UNMIK, on the basis of a Security Council decision on adopting the six points, to resume the role of mediator between Belgrade and EULEX, and then EULEX would communicate with the Kosovo authorities,” he said.

“UNMIK will complete its reconstruction and will probably end up being a Security Council office one day, that will seek an annual report from Solana on the basis of 1244,“ surmised Janjić.

Heć expects the first issues under discussion at the talks early next year to be the customs system between Kosovo and the rest of Serbia, while the second issue will be resolving judiciary problems in the province.