PanARMENIAN.Net
Moscow called on Belgrade and Pristina to continue talks
15.12.2007 14:19 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Moscow has called on Belgrade and Pristina to
continue negotiations on the status of Kosovo, and hopes that a
compromise is still possible, Russia’s UN envoy Vitaly Churkin said on
Friday.
The Contact Group’s troika of mediators – Russia, the United States
and the European Union – submitted to the UN Security Council and UN
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon a report on December 10 saying that the
parties had failed to reach an agreement after "120 days of intensive
negotiations."
"We believe that the efforts by the troika have shown that a
negotiated solution is possible, that the two sides can reach a
compromise and deliver a solution to strengthen stability in the
Balkans. Serbia would benefit the future of Kosovo, the European
Union, and reinforce rather than weaken international law," Vitaly
Churkin said.
He said the UN Security Council should give a signal to the parties
concerned that the international community is expecting them to
continue their discussions.
The Serb delegation has been able to refine some elements of its
position, which could also be acceptable to Pristina, he said, adding
that Belgrade is prepared to grant Pristina full freedom in the
economic realm, in particular the freedom to establish contacts with
international financial institutions, as well as allow it to have its
their own flag, gendarmerie and police, RIA Novosti reports.
December 19, the UN Security Council will sit to discuss the Kosovo
issue.