Ban Ki-Moon: Negotiated Kosovo compromise is the best outcome

"Secretary General believes that the best outcome would be a compromise solution reached through negotiations...He believes that a solution outside the frameworks of the UN would have serious consequences to the international system," said Ban's spokeswoman Michelle Montras.

Security Council moved a meeting from previously planned January 9 to a week later, after Russia demanded a time-out due to the Orthodox Christmas. However, the format of the meeting still remains to be finalized, but the presence of Serbian President Boris Tadic is not questionable.

On January 16 Security Council will review the Ban's report on Kosovo, in which he warned that political deadlock over Kosovo's future status could endanger accomplishments of the international community recorded over past eight years, but expressed slight unease sentiment over the Security Council's incapability to deal with the issue in New York.

"Expectations in Kosovo remain high that a solution to Kosovo's future status must be found rapidly. As such, the status quo is not likely to be sustainable...Should the impasse continue, events on the ground could take on a momentum of their own, putting at serious risk the achievements and legacy of the United Nations in Kosovo," Ban said in regular quarterly report to the UN Security Council.

However, Serbia had serious objections to the facts listed in Ban's report, Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said in New York. Jeremic is expected to explain Serbian complaints to the 15-member body and UN secretariat on Friday.

Ban also said that "uncertainty and a loss of forward dynamic in the future status process could create a risk of instability, both in Kosovo and in the wider region, as well as a potential risk to the safety of UN staff."

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