LJUBLJANA -- The EU troika and Russia have failed to reach a compromise over Kosovo in Brdo pri Kranju.
Source: B92, Beta, Tanjug
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EU sources in Brussels also announced that a decision would be taken soon on sending a mission to Kosovo.
The only point the two sides agreed on was to refuse to talk about the Kosovo independence date with certainty. The meeting’s host Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel said that no-one was recognizing anything for the time being, and that recognition could be left to individual countries, and not the EU, which can only adopt a hypothetical position on the matter.
Lavrov said that Moscow was not too optimistic about holding a UN Security Council session tomorrow, which Serbia has demanded, but added that it would be wrong not to take advantage of that opportunity, because it is necessary to do everything possible to prevent the situation from developing negatively.
“It would be a mistake not to turn to the UN SC,” Lavrov asserted, adding that he expected all UN SC members to demonstrate maximum responsibility.
“So far, no crucial decisions have been adopted,” the Russian foreign minister reiterated, stressing that Russia would continue investing all its effort into preventing matters from taking a turn for the worse.
“We have backed Serbia's request for a session and we hope that it will enable a honest review of positions, and that attempts are made to understand what could happen and how to avoid this,” he stated.
“It would be a mistake to declare the independence of the province,” Lavrov said after meeting with the EU diplomatic troika.
Pressing for a resumption of talks on Kosovo’s status, Lavrov pointed out that this would be possible if someone were not holding the Kosovo Albanians by the hand, forbidding them to engage in negotiations, while continually stating that independence was inevitable.
EU: Status quo unsustainable
EU representatives have said that the status quo in Kosovo is untenable ahead of a meeting with Russia in Slovenia.
EU Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner, High Representative Javier Solana and French Minister of State for Foreign and European Affairs Jean-Pierre Jouyet said prior to the meeting that the current situation was unsustainable, that years of talks had led nowhere, and that it was time to find a solution that would help stabilize the region.
Ferrero-Waldner said that she did not expect Serbia to forgo European integration because of Kosovo.
She said that the sides at today’s meeting would try to exchange opinions over Kosovo, but that she remained realistic when it came to the EU and Russia’s positions converging.
The commissioner said that talks on Kosovo had been going on for years, but without reaching a solution.
“The EU’s position is that Kosovo’s current status is untenable and that we need a lasting solution,“ said Ferrero-Waldner.
Although Moscow and Brussels' opinions on Kosovo clash, she is convinced that dialogue between the EU and Russia will nonetheless continue.
According to the commissioner, the EU’s main argument at today’s meeting will be that the EU is the region’s closest neighbor and that for that precise reason it seeks stability in the region, adding that the status quo had not brought any kind of development and that the citizens needed stability.
“We’ve done a lot of talking, and now it’s time to take a decision,“ said Ferrero-Waldner, adding that “relations can become prickly, but what’s vital is that dialogue keeps flowing.“
Solana told reporters ahead of the meeting with Russia that the two sides would discuss a number of themes today, above all EU-Russian cooperation.
As far as Kosovo was concerned, Solana said that he remained optimistic.
Although it has been announced that the subject of today’s talks will be relations between the Union and Russia, regional and international issues, it is clear that the spotlight will be on Kosovo, and specifically the proposed EU mission to the province and the upcoming independence declaration.
The entire Kosovo situation now is nothing more or less than an ugly divorce procedure. Some lawyers try to encourage the couple to stay together, some try to encourage to divorce.
Let's look how an ugly divorce looks like.
- any reasoning is impossible, at any stage both partners feel it justified to recall old things.
- the divorcing lawyers have strong interest to proceed no matter what: they gain more
- as a result of divorce no one will be more free, both are the losers. The lawyers are the winners. It takes years till things heal.... sometimes to discover, beyond for valid reasons for divorce they were duped by divorce lawyer's greed.
I would say, better to look for family consultant who is not interested materially than for divorce lawyers.
(Ataman, 14 February 2008 10:54)
Just a few quick questions to the albanian supporters on this panel. If Kosovo independence is a "done deal", why is the EU still talking to the Russians and trying to sign an agreement with Serbia? Why are they behaving like people who are doing something that they know is wrong and trying to find some justification for it? They fear that this violation of international law will someday blow up in their faces, that's why. And when it does, who will they blame? Themselves? Of course not, they will blame you. Get ready for your turn.
(JohnBoy, 14 February 2008 07:38)
If something is illegal for Serbs would could mean legal for Kosovar Albanians and otherway around. Let's talk a bit about the latest Serbian constitution. Serbs should know how it was rushed through and approved. By whom? When? It was where the negotiations were taking place with the mediation of President Ahtisari. That was legal for Serbia but illegal for the Kosovar Albanians and international community except Russia. Now Russia wants the issue of Kosova to come to the SC...) Why now? What stop Russia to endorse President Ahtisari Plan and Troika mission? Some people who sympathise with the Serbs are worried about a solution that will humiliate the Serbs. Well I am afraid to say but with Russia's and Serbia's actions we are heading to that road....
(EA, 13 February 2008 21:15)
Is this the same Javier Solana who once wrote a pamphlet entitled "50 Reasons to say No to NATO"?
I'm afraid it is.
(Tom O'Donoghue, 13 February 2008 19:39)
"Pressing for a resumption of talks on Kosovo’s status, Lavrov pointed out that this would be possible if someone were not holding the Kosovo Albanians by the hand, forbidding them to engage in negotiations, while continually stating that independence was inevitable. "
How about someone else stop holding the Serbs by their hands continually stating that they would never recognize independence, so that they could engage in negotiations. Mr. Lavrov enough with your hypocrisy. That is why EU and US wants the negotiations over. The Russians cannot ask the US and EU to stop backing the cause of Albanians while they themselves back the cause of the Serbs. What kind of fair negotiations are you talking about Mr. Lavrov when before negotiations have even started you (the Russians) and the Serbs take the option of independence out of the table. Then us Albanians can claim for fair negotiations only if the option of autonomy is taken of the table. Get it Mr. Lavrov you that talks about double standards are the first who applies double standards and shamelessly accuses others for doing what you yourself are doing.
(johny, 13 February 2008 19:13)
“We’ve done a lot of talking, and now it’s time to take a decision,“ said Ferrero-Waldner. I dont know why they are in such a hurry to grant Kosovo independance. Isreal and Palistine had this problem for over 50 years and they still dont have their own country. So why should the Albanians have two countries one in Albania and one in Kosovo??? I say NO to Kosovos independance!!!!!! Kosovo is Serbian and it always will stay that way.
(Zeljko V, 13 February 2008 17:21)
Oh, really, now is suddenly status quo unsustainable. Well, Belgrade proposed many solutions and each one of those proposed solutions was much more sustainable than the illegal independence will ever be. If you did not encourage Albanians to reject every proposal coming from Belgrade (only that you could implement your agenda) than today there would not be talks on unsustainable status quo any longer. But you are not worried for Albanians and their unsustainable status but for your delayed plans. Hm, it seems that it is not that easy to break or bribe Belgrade with some funny political deal or even SAA.
(bmrusila, 13 February 2008 16:02)
In recent history, Russia has had much more experiences in collapsing than the EU. Mr. Sergey Lavrov is - in this particular question - the only expert in the meeting. As an EU citzen I think he should better stay home, if he is not able to contribute more than such orakles.
(rolerkoster, 13 February 2008 12:36)
“We’ve done a lot of talking, and now it’s time to take a decision,“ said Ferrero-Waldner. I dont know why they are in such a hurry to grant Kosovo independance. Isreal and Palistine had this problem for over 50 years and they still dont have their own country. So why should the Albanians have two countries one in Albania and one in Kosovo??? I say NO to Kosovos independance!!!!!! Kosovo is Serbian and it always will stay that way.
(Zeljko V, 13 February 2008 17:21)
Oh, really, now is suddenly status quo unsustainable. Well, Belgrade proposed many solutions and each one of those proposed solutions was much more sustainable than the illegal independence will ever be. If you did not encourage Albanians to reject every proposal coming from Belgrade (only that you could implement your agenda) than today there would not be talks on unsustainable status quo any longer. But you are not worried for Albanians and their unsustainable status but for your delayed plans. Hm, it seems that it is not that easy to break or bribe Belgrade with some funny political deal or even SAA.
(bmrusila, 13 February 2008 16:02)
In recent history, Russia has had much more experiences in collapsing than the EU. Mr. Sergey Lavrov is - in this particular question - the only expert in the meeting. As an EU citzen I think he should better stay home, if he is not able to contribute more than such orakles.
(rolerkoster, 13 February 2008 12:36)
Is this the same Javier Solana who once wrote a pamphlet entitled "50 Reasons to say No to NATO"?
I'm afraid it is.
(Tom O'Donoghue, 13 February 2008 19:39)
If something is illegal for Serbs would could mean legal for Kosovar Albanians and otherway around. Let's talk a bit about the latest Serbian constitution. Serbs should know how it was rushed through and approved. By whom? When? It was where the negotiations were taking place with the mediation of President Ahtisari. That was legal for Serbia but illegal for the Kosovar Albanians and international community except Russia. Now Russia wants the issue of Kosova to come to the SC...) Why now? What stop Russia to endorse President Ahtisari Plan and Troika mission? Some people who sympathise with the Serbs are worried about a solution that will humiliate the Serbs. Well I am afraid to say but with Russia's and Serbia's actions we are heading to that road....
(EA, 13 February 2008 21:15)
"Pressing for a resumption of talks on Kosovo’s status, Lavrov pointed out that this would be possible if someone were not holding the Kosovo Albanians by the hand, forbidding them to engage in negotiations, while continually stating that independence was inevitable. "
How about someone else stop holding the Serbs by their hands continually stating that they would never recognize independence, so that they could engage in negotiations. Mr. Lavrov enough with your hypocrisy. That is why EU and US wants the negotiations over. The Russians cannot ask the US and EU to stop backing the cause of Albanians while they themselves back the cause of the Serbs. What kind of fair negotiations are you talking about Mr. Lavrov when before negotiations have even started you (the Russians) and the Serbs take the option of independence out of the table. Then us Albanians can claim for fair negotiations only if the option of autonomy is taken of the table. Get it Mr. Lavrov you that talks about double standards are the first who applies double standards and shamelessly accuses others for doing what you yourself are doing.
(johny, 13 February 2008 19:13)
Just a few quick questions to the albanian supporters on this panel. If Kosovo independence is a "done deal", why is the EU still talking to the Russians and trying to sign an agreement with Serbia? Why are they behaving like people who are doing something that they know is wrong and trying to find some justification for it? They fear that this violation of international law will someday blow up in their faces, that's why. And when it does, who will they blame? Themselves? Of course not, they will blame you. Get ready for your turn.
(JohnBoy, 14 February 2008 07:38)
The entire Kosovo situation now is nothing more or less than an ugly divorce procedure. Some lawyers try to encourage the couple to stay together, some try to encourage to divorce.
Let's look how an ugly divorce looks like.
- any reasoning is impossible, at any stage both partners feel it justified to recall old things.
- the divorcing lawyers have strong interest to proceed no matter what: they gain more
- as a result of divorce no one will be more free, both are the losers. The lawyers are the winners. It takes years till things heal.... sometimes to discover, beyond for valid reasons for divorce they were duped by divorce lawyer's greed.
I would say, better to look for family consultant who is not interested materially than for divorce lawyers.
(Ataman, 14 February 2008 10:54)
In recent history, Russia has had much more experiences in collapsing than the EU. Mr. Sergey Lavrov is - in this particular question - the only expert in the meeting. As an EU citzen I think he should better stay home, if he is not able to contribute more than such orakles.
(rolerkoster, 13 February 2008 12:36)
"Pressing for a resumption of talks on Kosovo’s status, Lavrov pointed out that this would be possible if someone were not holding the Kosovo Albanians by the hand, forbidding them to engage in negotiations, while continually stating that independence was inevitable. "
How about someone else stop holding the Serbs by their hands continually stating that they would never recognize independence, so that they could engage in negotiations. Mr. Lavrov enough with your hypocrisy. That is why EU and US wants the negotiations over. The Russians cannot ask the US and EU to stop backing the cause of Albanians while they themselves back the cause of the Serbs. What kind of fair negotiations are you talking about Mr. Lavrov when before negotiations have even started you (the Russians) and the Serbs take the option of independence out of the table. Then us Albanians can claim for fair negotiations only if the option of autonomy is taken of the table. Get it Mr. Lavrov you that talks about double standards are the first who applies double standards and shamelessly accuses others for doing what you yourself are doing.
(johny, 13 February 2008 19:13)
If something is illegal for Serbs would could mean legal for Kosovar Albanians and otherway around. Let's talk a bit about the latest Serbian constitution. Serbs should know how it was rushed through and approved. By whom? When? It was where the negotiations were taking place with the mediation of President Ahtisari. That was legal for Serbia but illegal for the Kosovar Albanians and international community except Russia. Now Russia wants the issue of Kosova to come to the SC...) Why now? What stop Russia to endorse President Ahtisari Plan and Troika mission? Some people who sympathise with the Serbs are worried about a solution that will humiliate the Serbs. Well I am afraid to say but with Russia's and Serbia's actions we are heading to that road....
(EA, 13 February 2008 21:15)
“We’ve done a lot of talking, and now it’s time to take a decision,“ said Ferrero-Waldner. I dont know why they are in such a hurry to grant Kosovo independance. Isreal and Palistine had this problem for over 50 years and they still dont have their own country. So why should the Albanians have two countries one in Albania and one in Kosovo??? I say NO to Kosovos independance!!!!!! Kosovo is Serbian and it always will stay that way.
(Zeljko V, 13 February 2008 17:21)
Oh, really, now is suddenly status quo unsustainable. Well, Belgrade proposed many solutions and each one of those proposed solutions was much more sustainable than the illegal independence will ever be. If you did not encourage Albanians to reject every proposal coming from Belgrade (only that you could implement your agenda) than today there would not be talks on unsustainable status quo any longer. But you are not worried for Albanians and their unsustainable status but for your delayed plans. Hm, it seems that it is not that easy to break or bribe Belgrade with some funny political deal or even SAA.
(bmrusila, 13 February 2008 16:02)
The entire Kosovo situation now is nothing more or less than an ugly divorce procedure. Some lawyers try to encourage the couple to stay together, some try to encourage to divorce.
Let's look how an ugly divorce looks like.
- any reasoning is impossible, at any stage both partners feel it justified to recall old things.
- the divorcing lawyers have strong interest to proceed no matter what: they gain more
- as a result of divorce no one will be more free, both are the losers. The lawyers are the winners. It takes years till things heal.... sometimes to discover, beyond for valid reasons for divorce they were duped by divorce lawyer's greed.
I would say, better to look for family consultant who is not interested materially than for divorce lawyers.
(Ataman, 14 February 2008 10:54)
Is this the same Javier Solana who once wrote a pamphlet entitled "50 Reasons to say No to NATO"?
I'm afraid it is.
(Tom O'Donoghue, 13 February 2008 19:39)
Just a few quick questions to the albanian supporters on this panel. If Kosovo independence is a "done deal", why is the EU still talking to the Russians and trying to sign an agreement with Serbia? Why are they behaving like people who are doing something that they know is wrong and trying to find some justification for it? They fear that this violation of international law will someday blow up in their faces, that's why. And when it does, who will they blame? Themselves? Of course not, they will blame you. Get ready for your turn.
(JohnBoy, 14 February 2008 07:38)