The special UN envoy for Kosovo status talks, Martti Ahtisaari, arrived on a two-day visit to Slovenia on Monday, 15 May, to consult with President Janez Drnovsek, PM Janez Jansa and FM Dimitrij Rupel before the fifth round of talks between Serbia and Kosovo begins in Vienna on 23 May.
Ahtisaari, who compared the negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina with a marathon, said that "many kilometres remain ahead of us so don't ask me what my time will be at the finish". Getting adequate protection for the Serbs in Kosovo is a key issue that has to be agreed upon before launching talks on the future status of the province, he added, pointing out that such talks will not begin soon. "Do not ask me what the status of Kosovo will be. We are far from [discussing] that." He said his meetings with Slovenian officials were important as they represented a consultation with the representatives of a country which has knowledge of the region. Asked at a news conference on Tuesday, 17 May, if he is aware of Drnovsek's Kosovo plans, Ahtisaari said he knows of the existence of "several plans". Drnovsek presented a plan in October under which Kosovo would become independent provided that certain conditions have been met.
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