Rules of Engagement
Serbia Insists That Talks Primarily Focus on Kosovo Province Status
Tanjug reports that Serbian government has proposed that the Belgrade — Pristina talks primarily focus on the status of Kosovo and Metohija province, that they are conducted directly, without a strict timetable, that Martti Ahtisaari’s proposal is not the basis for the talks, that the entire process should be under the mandate of the United Nations and that relevant decisions are made by the UN Security Council.
These six elements of the Serbian government’s proposed rules for the talks on the future status of Kosovo and Metohija were on Friday sent to the ambassadors of the Contact Group countries in Belgrade and to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon.
The proposal, seen by Tanjug, said that the talks should focus on the status of Kosovo and Metohija and that numerous practical and technical issues, such as the position of communities, decentralization, protection of the cultural heritage, economic issues etc, can be negotiated, but only within the primary status issue.
Direct Talks, No Timetables, No Ahtisaari
“The negotiations are conducted as direct talks between the two sides with the mediation of the Troika. Other modalities, like shuttle diplomacy and similar, can be only additional and consultative in the function of the direct talks,” the proposal said.
Serbian government insists that there is “no strict timetable for the talks.”
Serbian government said that it is possible and necessary for the Contact Group, i.e. “the mediating Troika,” to occasionally file with the UN Security Council temporary reports about the progress of the talks.
Serbian government urges that “the talks are open with regards to their outcome and deadline, with the respect of norms, rules and principles of the international law.”
“Ahtisaari’s proposal cannot be a basis for conducting the talks,” the Serbian government said, noting that the overall process should be under the clear mandate of the United Nations and that only the UN Security Council can adopt relevant decisions.