"Strategy for north" to cost EUR 4mn

In addition to finalizing the strategy, they are cooperating on the division of a fund which will help implement the strategy on the ground, Albanian language daily Koha Ditore reports.

High government officials confirmed for the paper that the fund, which will be used to promote "the benefits of cooperation with Pristina" in the north, will total around EUR 4mn.

Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo, Hajredin Kuci, said that the Kosovo budget will not be the only source of financing for the strategy.

"We will propose a separate fund, and in addition to donors, we will also give our contribution," Kuci said but refused to discuss who the donor would be.

ICO spokesman Kai Mueller-Berner said that the fund would be used to improve the lives of citizens.

"Funds for public services have the goal of improving the living conditions and are a part of the strategy. We support the Kosovo government initiative to create a special fund. As with other issues, we will cooperate closely with the Kosovo government on this," he said.

Koha Ditore reports that the preparation of the so-called strategy for northern Kosovo is "nearly complete", and that it is expected that the final document, together with the financial report for its implementation, will be presented to the member countries of the international executive board at a meeting in Vienna on February 8.

The board is composed of countries that have recognized Kosovo's independence and that are sponsoring the ICO, which is headed by Pieter Feith.

ICO officials refused to discuss specific figures for the strategy implementation fund.

The goal of the strategy, Koha Ditore reports, is to bring changes on three key points - modifying the way in which the north of Kosovo is viewed, strengthening policy, because force is not the solution, and providing an incentive for Serbs' cooperation.