Serbs Meet in Zvecan to Discuss Elections

The parliament of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija will hold a session in Zvecan on Friday, at which its members, who set up the body despite Belgrade's disapproval, should take a stand on the November 3 elections in Kosovo. The agenda of the session, scheduled for noon, will among other issues discuss the adoption of the interim statute of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo, and submission of this proposal to the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia for approval. The meeting agenda will also table the political-security situation, ongoing issues and problems in Kosovo, adoption of a declaration and adoption of the parliament's rules of procedures. Slavko Stevanovic, chairman of the parliament of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija, told Tanjug that the talks will focus on the coming elections, adding that conclusions will be passed according to the majority will. "Considering the atmosphere among the MPs from Kosovo and based on the conclusions of officials of four municipal assemblies from north Kosovo, I expect that a uniform conclusion on this issue will be passed," Stevanovic said. The parliament of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija was set up by officials of four north Kosovo municipal assemblies in spite of Belgrade's disproval in Zvecan early July. Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic called on Serbs from Kosovo to adopt the decision on voting in the November 3elections as soon as possible, and state officials sent a message that status-neutral elections are the best way for local Serbs to exercise their rights.The local elections in Kosovo are scheduled for November 3, and the electoral rolls are to be submitted by September 4.