Zannier, Belgrade top brass discuss six-point plan

UNMIK Chief Lamberto Zannier and Serbian officials have been discussing the UN six-point plan for Kosovo in Belgrade. President Boris Tadic spoke with Zannier about the plan, which has been rubber-stamped in the UN Security Council. Zannier, Belgrade top brass discuss six-point plan Tadic said that Belgrade insisted on the plan being put fully into practice, the president's press service announced. The meeting was also attended by Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic and Kosovo Minister Goran Bogdanovic. According to Tadic's cabinet, talks on the plan's implemention would resume in the coming period. Jeremic, meanwhile, highlighted the importance of UNMIK's continued presence in the province. He said that full implementation of all the elements of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's report on the international missions' operations was paramount, and had to fully follow the letter of Resolution 1244. It was agreed at the meeting that technical discussions would continue until full application of the plan had been achieved, the Foreign Ministry announced. Bogdanovic and the UNMIK Chief opened initial talks on the implementation of the declarations from the most recent report of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Kosovo and other current issues. The Kosovo minister underlined Belgrade's readiness to intensify dialogue at a technical level with the aim of more efficient resolution of the current problems in the province. He reiterated Serbia's insistence on the respect of the principles defined in UN Security Council Resolution 1244, the Kosovo Ministry stated. Boris Tadic, Lamberto Zannier (FoNet) Ivanovic: 6-point plan key issue State Secretary for the Kosovo Ministry Oliver Ivanovic said that Serbian officials would again pose the question today of when the six-point plan would begin to be applied. “In these discussions every side nominates their plans and themes. We will certainly insist that the six-point plan is again discussed and check when implementation will begin and who will do what in the plan,” said Ivanovic, speaking to B92. He said that UNMIK “has to take on the obligations that the secretary general imposed on everyone, which means them too, as the mission on the ground.” “At the same time it’s important that we see how EULEX’s role would be seen in this light, as it will continue to be responsible for three aspects—police, justice and customs,” said Ivanovic. UNMIK spokesman Russell Geekie told B92 that application of the six-point plan would be just one of several topics of conversation. Zannier’s visit to Belgrade is part of his preparations for the next UN Security Council session on Kosovo at the beginning of March, said Geekie. “He expects to engage in consultations about a wider range of issues connected to the secretary general’s report from Nov. 24. At the meeting, Zannier will hear the opinions of the Serbian government on a number of issues, including the UNMIK reconfiguration. The six-point plan is one of the issues that will be discussed,” he said. Speaking with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon two days ago, Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic expressed Serbia’s dissatisfaction due to the delay in implementing the six-point plan, and warned that Kosovo faced a serious security crisis if that plan were not carried out on the ground. The Kosovo government has dismissed the plan as unacceptable. The secretary general’s plan would enable Kosovo Serbs broader autonomy in the areas of justice, police and customs. It would also enable better protection of cultural and religious heritage and improve transportation and communication.

Zannier, Belgrade top brass discuss six-point plan

Tadić said that Belgrade insisted on the plan being put fully into practice, the president's press service announced.

The meeting was also attended by Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić and Kosovo Minister Goran Bogdanović.

According to Tadić's cabinet, talks on the plan's implemention would resume in the coming period.

Jeremić, meanwhile, highlighted the importance of UNMIK's continued presence in the province. He said that full implementation of all the elements of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's report on the international missions' operations was paramount, and had to fully follow the letter of Resolution 1244.

It was agreed at the meeting that technical discussions would continue until full application of the plan had been achieved, the Foreign Ministry announced.

Bogdanović and the UNMIK Chief opened initial talks on the implementation of the declarations from the most recent report of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Kosovo and other current issues.

The Kosovo minister underlined Belgrade's readiness to intensify dialogue at a technical level with the aim of more efficient resolution of the current problems in the province.

He reiterated Serbia's insistence on the respect of the principles defined in UN Security Council Resolution 1244, the Kosovo Ministry stated.

Ivanović: 6-point plan key issue

State Secretary for the Kosovo Ministry Oliver Ivanović said that Serbian officials would again pose the question today of when the six-point plan would begin to be applied.

“In these discussions every side nominates their plans and themes. We will certainly insist that the six-point plan is again discussed and check when implementation will begin and who will do what in the plan,” said Ivanović, speaking to B92.

He said that UNMIK “has to take on the obligations that the secretary general imposed on everyone, which means them too, as the mission on the ground.”

“At the same time it’s important that we see how EULEX’s role would be seen in this light, as it will continue to be responsible for three aspects—police, justice and customs,” said Ivanović.

UNMIK spokesman Russell Geekie told B92 that application of the six-point plan would be just one of several topics of conversation.

Zannier’s visit to Belgrade is part of his preparations for the next UN Security Council session on Kosovo at the beginning of March, said Geekie.

“He expects to engage in consultations about a wider range of issues connected to the secretary general’s report from Nov. 24. At the meeting, Zannier will hear the opinions of the Serbian government on a number of issues, including the UNMIK reconfiguration. The six-point plan is one of the issues that will be discussed,” he said.

Speaking with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon two days ago, Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić expressed Serbia’s dissatisfaction due to the delay in implementing the six-point plan, and warned that Kosovo faced a serious security crisis if that plan were not carried out on the ground.

The Kosovo government has dismissed the plan as unacceptable. The secretary general’s plan would enable Kosovo Serbs broader autonomy in the areas of justice, police and customs. It would also enable better protection of cultural and religious heritage and improve transportation and communication.