EU Foreign Ministers to discuss Kosovo ahead of fifth round of direct talks
The EU Foreign Ministers will discuss Kosovo at the Monday’s GAERC meeting in Brussels, during which they will be briefed by the EU member of the Contact Group Troika Wolfgang Ischinger.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Friday, November 16, 2007
Ischinger will brief the ministers on the negotiations process and the chances for finding a solution ahead of the fifth round of direct talks between Belgrade and Pristina, scheduled for a day later, also in the EU headquarters.
The ministers will adopt conclusions which will primarily reflect the EU support to the negotiating Troika, to Ischinger and to a « negotiated solution ».
They will also shortly assess the Saturday Kosovo parliamentary and municipal elections.
Brussels officials have refused to comment on the alleged statements by Ischinger, reported from Washington, about a « status neutral » Kosovo solution.
Diplomatic sources in the EU insist it is too early to talk about any Ischinger's « proposal », let alone a Troika proposal, given that it would have to receive the consent of the US and Russian mediators.
"The talks are continuing based on the 14 points of the Contact Group and on the ideas of the two sides, with a more proactive and more engaged effort of the Troika, but there are no indications at this point of any proposals", sources said.
The Monday meeting will be the last opportunity for the EU ministers to discuss Kosovo before the December 10 deadline for the Troika report to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.
