Belgrade presents analysis of autonomy models

The Serbian authorities today in Brussels presented a comparative analysis of three autonomy models. The sixth round of direct talks on Kosovo's future status was mediated by the Contact Group Troika of envoys, Wolfgang Ischinger, Aleksandr Botsan-Kharchenko, and Frank Wisner. Belgrade presents analysis of autonomy models Kosovo Albanian delegation was led by President Fatmir Sejdiu and Prime Minister Agim Ceku, while the Belgrade team included both Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and President Boris Tadic. And while Pristina did not come forward with any new ideas in the direct talks, preceeded by separate meetings of the delegations and the Troika, Belgrade elaborated on its essential autonomy offer for the province. The Serbian state negotiating team suggested that its essential autonomy model be accepted for a period of 20 years. Belgrade also presented the Troika with the case of the Aland Islands, populated by Swedes, but territorially a part of Finland, as an example of successful functioning of essential autonomy in Europe, and presented the diplomats with a comparative analysis of the Hong Kong, Aland, and Kosovo essential autonomy models. The document is available for download here. "Our side has reiterated the case of the Aland Islands in Finland as an example of a functional autonomy solution," Kosovo Minister Slobodan Samardzic told reporters immediately after the meeting with the Troika. He said that the envoys reacted "with interest and attention." "The last time it was said that Hong Kong is an Asian case and that it is inhabited by the Chinese. Now, however, they did not make such remarks, because the Aland Islands are within Europe and the European Union and are populated by the Swedes, not the Finns," Samardzic explained set out, adding that "a widespread autonomy has been functioning on these islands for more than 80 years." The Pristina delegation elaborated on its vision of a supervised independence along the Ahtisaari plan lines, and focused on the period after December 10, the date after which the Troika will present its report to the UN secretary-general. Sejdiu told reporters that he expected Pristina would declare Kosovo's independence "in cooperation with the states which have supported it so far." The Troika for its part did not present any proposals. The much-talked-about neutral status proposal did not make it to the negotiating table today. However, although the idea was not officially put forward, U.S. representative Frank Wisner talked about "some kind of neutral status of Kosovo" and asked the Belgrade delegation if such a solution would be acceptable. "My answer was no. We must discuss the status, because this is the topic of the negotiations... We may discuss a partnership after we resolve the issue of status, in accordance with the principles of international law," Kostunica told reporters afterwards, and added that Kosovo Premier Agim Ceku "voiced a stand similar to Wisner's." Kostunica said that the neutral status was a "trick - another word aimed at trying to conceal the fact that under this proposal Kosovo and Serbia should be two separate states." The three international envoys issued a press released after the meetings today, saying that parties "reaffirmed their commitment to refrain from making acts or statements that could undermine the security situation in Kosovo." The three diplomats reminded both parties that the Troika process will be concluded on December 10. "The Troika reaffirmed its commitment to make a vigorous effort to reach an agreement between the parties," the statement concluded. The next round of talks has been scheduled for November 26-28, in Baden, Austria. Samardzic, Kostunica, Tadic, during today's round of Kosovo talks (Beta)

Belgrade presents analysis of autonomy models

Kosovo Albanian delegation was led by President Fatmir Sejdiu and Prime Minister Agim Ceku, while the Belgrade team included both Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica and President Boris Tadić.

And while Priština did not come forward with any new ideas in the direct talks, preceeded by separate meetings of the delegations and the Troika, Belgrade elaborated on its essential autonomy offer for the province.

The Serbian state negotiating team suggested that its essential autonomy model be accepted for a period of 20 years.

Belgrade also presented the Troika with the case of the Aland Islands, populated by Swedes, but territorially a part of Finland, as an example of successful functioning of essential autonomy in Europe, and presented the diplomats with a comparative analysis of the Hong Kong, Aland, and Kosovo essential autonomy models.

The document is available for download here.

"Our side has reiterated the case of the Aland Islands in Finland as an example of a functional autonomy solution," Kosovo Minister Slobodan Samardžić told reporters immediately after the meeting with the Troika.

He said that the envoys reacted "with interest and attention."

"The last time it was said that Hong Kong is an Asian case and that it is inhabited by the Chinese. Now, however, they did not make such remarks, because the Aland Islands are within Europe and the European Union and are populated by the Swedes, not the Finns," Samardžić explained set out, adding that "a widespread autonomy has been functioning on these islands for more than 80 years."

The Priština delegation elaborated on its vision of a supervised independence along the Ahtisaari plan lines, and focused on the period after December 10, the date after which the Troika will present its report to the UN secretary-general.

Sejdiu told reporters that he expected Priština would declare Kosovo's independence "in cooperation with the states which have supported it so far."

The Troika for its part did not present any proposals. The much-talked-about neutral status proposal did not make it to the negotiating table today.

However, although the idea was not officially put forward, U.S. representative Frank Wisner talked about "some kind of neutral status of Kosovo" and asked the Belgrade delegation if such a solution would be acceptable.

"My answer was no. We must discuss the status, because this is the topic of the negotiations... We may discuss a partnership after we resolve the issue of status, in accordance with the principles of international law," Koštunica told reporters afterwards, and added that Kosovo Premier Agim Ceku "voiced a stand similar to Wisner's."

Koštunica said that the neutral status was a "trick - another word aimed at trying to conceal the fact that under this proposal Kosovo and Serbia should be two separate states."

The three international envoys issued a press released after the meetings today, saying that parties "reaffirmed their commitment to refrain from making acts or statements that could undermine the security situation in Kosovo."

The three diplomats reminded both parties that the Troika process will be concluded on December 10.

"The Troika reaffirmed its commitment to make a vigorous effort to reach an agreement between the parties," the statement concluded.

The next round of talks has been scheduled for November 26-28, in Baden, Austria.