Negotiator: U.S. shows understanding for Tadić plan

The U.S. is showing understanding for the four-point plan for Kosovo by Serbian President Boris Tadic, says the Belgrade negotiator in the Kosovo talks. The U.S. is also understanding "of the need to permanently solve those points", said Borislav Stefanovic after a meeting visiting with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Philip Reeker on Friday. Negotiator: U.S. shows understanding for Tadic plan Stefanovic told Tanjug Reeker had been given general information about the plan and that there was understanding for the four points the plan relied on: a special status for northern Kosovo, protection for the Serbs south of the Ibar, protection for Serb holy sites and cultural heritage and protection for the Serb property in Kosovo. "We explained in general terms why it was important to solve the four issues. We agreed they demand attention from everyone in the international community and that those are problems that definitely need addressing," he stated, adding that they did not go into details. The meeting with Reeker was constructive, he noted, adding that they also discussed Pristina's regional representation, which is one of the most important requirements for Serbia to get the EU candidate status in March, and the implementation of the agreements reached in the talks between Belgrade and Pristina. However, the U.S. has still not made its position clear regarding adherence to Resolution 1244 in Pristina's regional representation, which is something Serbia insists on. According to Stefanovic, Reeker did not come to Belgrade to present some secret plan or bring a solution, but to help both sides view the other one's position better. "And to potentially find common ground in those circumstances. For now, when it comes to regional representation, there is a need to carry on with consultations, and the meeting with EU mediator for the talks Robert Cooper will be of great importance," he stated. When asked if the resumption of the talks seemed more likely after the meeting with Reeker, Stefanovic responded negatively, explaining that there was no need to continue the talks as long as there was no agreement regarding Resolution 1244. "We had an opportunity to hear from Reeker the U.S. government thinks it is very important to achieve progress in terms of regional representation and solve the issue, which has been on the agenda for a long time. There was no pressure, but a constructive discussion, and it was said that Pristina saw the issue very similarly in terms of the need to settle it as soon as possible," Stefanovic remarked. He added that after his meeting with Reeker, it was clear Serbia could expect U.S. support when it comes to the dialogue process, EU integration, stabilization of the situation in the region and the possibility of Washington influencing Pristina to be more constructive in the talks. The U.S. supports Serbia's intention to become a candidate for EU membership. Reeker also met with Interior Minister Ivica Dacic on Friday. Borislav Stefanovic (file) Tanjug

Negotiator: U.S. shows understanding for Tadić plan

Stefanović told Tanjug Reeker had been given general information about the plan and that there was understanding for the four points the plan relied on: a special status for northern Kosovo, protection for the Serbs south of the Ibar, protection for Serb holy sites and cultural heritage and protection for the Serb property in Kosovo.

"We explained in general terms why it was important to solve the four issues. We agreed they demand attention from everyone in the international community and that those are problems that definitely need addressing," he stated, adding that they did not go into details.

The meeting with Reeker was constructive, he noted, adding that they also discussed Priština's regional representation, which is one of the most important requirements for Serbia to get the EU candidate status in March, and the implementation of the agreements reached in the talks between Belgrade and Priština.

However, the U.S. has still not made its position clear regarding adherence to Resolution 1244 in Priština's regional representation, which is something Serbia insists on.

According to Stefanović, Reeker did not come to Belgrade to present some secret plan or bring a solution, but to help both sides view the other one's position better.

"And to potentially find common ground in those circumstances. For now, when it comes to regional representation, there is a need to carry on with consultations, and the meeting with EU mediator for the talks Robert Cooper will be of great importance," he stated.

When asked if the resumption of the talks seemed more likely after the meeting with Reeker, Stefanović responded negatively, explaining that there was no need to continue the talks as long as there was no agreement regarding Resolution 1244.

"We had an opportunity to hear from Reeker the U.S. government thinks it is very important to achieve progress in terms of regional representation and solve the issue, which has been on the agenda for a long time. There was no pressure, but a constructive discussion, and it was said that Priština saw the issue very similarly in terms of the need to settle it as soon as possible," Stefanović remarked.

He added that after his meeting with Reeker, it was clear Serbia could expect U.S. support when it comes to the dialogue process, EU integration, stabilization of the situation in the region and the possibility of Washington influencing Priština to be more constructive in the talks.

The U.S. supports Serbia's intention to become a candidate for EU membership.

Reeker also met with Interior Minister Ivica Dačić on Friday.