“Belgrade-Priština dialogue in early 2011”

The EU is making an effort in order for the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina to start in the beginning of 2011. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton will submit her report to EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday . “Belgrade-Pristina dialogue in early 2011” European Commission (EC) officials have stated that the EU foreign ministers will also assess parliamentary elections in Kosovo which will be held on Sunday. They point out that the EU has been strongly suggesting that the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina begins this year but that it will now obviously have to be postponed for the beginning of 2011 due to early parliamentary elections in Kosovo. The EC officials could not confirm statements of Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci that the negotiations will begin in February. The European diplomatic sources say that the EU thinks that it is not good that the dialogue is being postponed after successful agreement between the EU and Serbia in the UN regarding solving of issues between Belgrade and Pristina. They added that there was also a certain uncertainty regarding the election results and expected prompt forming of a new government in Pristina, keeping in mind the assessments according to which Thaci and his key ruling party could win fewer votes than expected. International diplomatic sources in Brussels have stated that the resignation of the government and early elections in Kosovo happened “at the recommendation of an influential world state” because it was assessed that it would be better for a stronger government in Pristina to start the dialogue with Belgrade after the elections. The diplomats have explained that Thaci was expecting some clearer sign of a dialogue between the EU and Pristina regarding lifting of EU visa requirements for the citizens of Kosovo but that there are no specific indications about that. Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic confirmed at a conference on Western Balkans European integrations in Brussels yesterday that Belgrade was ready to start the dialogue with Pristina as soon as possible. EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule stressed that it was important to reach an efficient solution for relations between Serbia and Kosovo because otherwise the region and people would suffer. Fule has also advocated a pragmatic solution for Belgrade-Pristina relations regardless of the issue of the Kosovo status.

“Belgrade-Priština dialogue in early 2011”

European Commission (EC) officials have stated that the EU foreign ministers will also assess parliamentary elections in Kosovo which will be held on Sunday.

They point out that the EU has been strongly suggesting that the dialogue between Belgrade and Priština begins this year but that it will now obviously have to be postponed for the beginning of 2011 due to early parliamentary elections in Kosovo.

The EC officials could not confirm statements of Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci that the negotiations will begin in February.

The European diplomatic sources say that the EU thinks that it is not good that the dialogue is being postponed after successful agreement between the EU and Serbia in the UN regarding solving of issues between Belgrade and Priština.

They added that there was also a certain uncertainty regarding the election results and expected prompt forming of a new government in Priština, keeping in mind the assessments according to which Thaci and his key ruling party could win fewer votes than expected.

International diplomatic sources in Brussels have stated that the resignation of the government and early elections in Kosovo happened “at the recommendation of an influential world state” because it was assessed that it would be better for a stronger government in Priština to start the dialogue with Belgrade after the elections.

The diplomats have explained that Thaci was expecting some clearer sign of a dialogue between the EU and Priština regarding lifting of EU visa requirements for the citizens of Kosovo but that there are no specific indications about that.

Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković confirmed at a conference on Western Balkans European integrations in Brussels yesterday that Belgrade was ready to start the dialogue with Priština as soon as possible.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule stressed that it was important to reach an efficient solution for relations between Serbia and Kosovo because otherwise the region and people would suffer.

Fule has also advocated a pragmatic solution for Belgrade-Priština relations regardless of the issue of the Kosovo status.