"UN has important role in talks"

This, according to Ivanovic, "because they represented the only organizations acceptable for both sides, which made them irreplaceable for the process".

The dialogue is the only way to solve problems, and the Serbian government has great hopes for the talks," said Ivanovic after a meeting with Head of UNMIK Lamberto Zannier in Kosovska Mitrovica, northern Kosovo.

The two officials stated that the situation in Kosovo was peaceful and stable and expressed hope that the talks would start soon, the Ministry for Kosovo has announced.

Zannier said he would monitor the preparations for the talks and use his observations for his January report on the situation in Kosovo.

Also on Tuesday, speaking in the town of Zvecan in the north, Zannier said that the UN supports the coming dialogue "between Serbia and Kosovo" and will take part in the process.

The two sides need to discuss all issues important for the local population and UNMIK will try to put those topics on the agenda, Zannier stated.

According to him, he will also file regular reports on the talks to the UN Security Council.

Zannier was in Zvecan to meet with Mayor Dragisa Milovic and discuss the early elections in Kosovo, scheduled for December 12, and called by the government in Priština.

The head of UNMIK was told that elections called by the Kosovo Albanian authorities in were not acceptable for Serbs, and that they were not expected to vote.

Everyone has the right to choose whether to vote or not, and people should not be prevented from exercising their citizen rights, Zannier noted.

According to Milovic, it will not be possible to open some polling stations, like those located in schools, since it is unacceptable for someone in Pristina to open a polling place in the Zvecan police station.

On the other hand, no one is going to stop Kosovo Albanians from voting in their villages located within the Zvecan municipality, Milovic remarked.

The return of refugees needs to be balanced, two-way and based on dialogue, said Zannier. Milovic, on his part, suggested that an investigation unit be formed to find out who is behind the recent attacks in Kosovska Mitrovica and Zvecan.