Priština: Success of talks depends on desire to join EU

The Belgrade-Pristina dialogue depends on the "commitment of the two countries" to the European perspective, says a Kosovo Albanian official. "The Kosovo government looks upon the dialogue with the belief that it will contribute to the normalization of Kosovo's relations with Serbia," Kosovo Albanian Deputy Prime Minister and head of the Pristina negotiations team Edita Tahiri has stated. Pristina: Success of talks depends on desire to join EU "The Kosovo government looks upon the dialogue in Brussels with the belief that it will contribute to the normalization of Kosovo's relations with Serbia," Tahiri said, adding that the issue of status is a "closed chapter for Kosovo". "The EU perspective is a crucial factor which will stimulate both sides to be constructive and committed to solving the issues on the agenda," Tahiri stressed. According to her, the two sides will discuss only technical matters in Brussels, without raising the issues of Kosovo's "independence, sovereignty, indivisibility and territorial integrity, because these issues are irrevocably settled". When asked about the extent to which Kosovo's reputation and its position in the dialogue were weakened after the publishing of Dick Marty's report on human organ trafficking in Kosovo, Tahiri said that the Hague Tribunal had already determined that there are no grounds for launching an investigation on alleged organ trafficking. "We are ready to take part in any further investigation into the allegations from the report and the Council of Europe's resolution. As a government, we will be completely open regarding the matter, and we support the work of EULEX which is authorized to carry out a full, independent investigation into all accusations," she stressed. Tahiri did not wish to comment on the "political message" sent by Belgrade by appointing the Foreign Ministry official as the head of Serbia' team in Brussels, and pointed out that Kosovo's decision to appoint the deputy prime minister as head of the team shows how seriously Kosovo takes this dialogue. "The dialogue in Brussels will have an EU mediator, with the agenda which will have to be accepted by all three sides. This means that each side can have its wishes, but the forthcoming dialogue will have its rules and established principles," Tahiri underscored.

Priština: Success of talks depends on desire to join EU

"The Kosovo government looks upon the dialogue in Brussels with the belief that it will contribute to the normalization of Kosovo's relations with Serbia," Tahiri said, adding that the issue of status is a "closed chapter for Kosovo".

"The EU perspective is a crucial factor which will stimulate both sides to be constructive and committed to solving the issues on the agenda," Tahiri stressed.

According to her, the two sides will discuss only technical matters in Brussels, without raising the issues of Kosovo's "independence, sovereignty, indivisibility and territorial integrity, because these issues are irrevocably settled".

When asked about the extent to which Kosovo's reputation and its position in the dialogue were weakened after the publishing of Dick Marty's report on human organ trafficking in Kosovo, Tahiri said that the Hague Tribunal had already determined that there are no grounds for launching an investigation on alleged organ trafficking.

"We are ready to take part in any further investigation into the allegations from the report and the Council of Europe's resolution. As a government, we will be completely open regarding the matter, and we support the work of EULEX which is authorized to carry out a full, independent investigation into all accusations," she stressed.

Tahiri did not wish to comment on the "political message" sent by Belgrade by appointing the Foreign Ministry official as the head of Serbia' team in Brussels, and pointed out that Kosovo's decision to appoint the deputy prime minister as head of the team shows how seriously Kosovo takes this dialogue.

"The dialogue in Brussels will have an EU mediator, with the agenda which will have to be accepted by all three sides. This means that each side can have its wishes, but the forthcoming dialogue will have its rules and established principles," Tahiri underscored.