Kosovo is experiencing "the beginning of a key period, when a solution to its status is almost in sight", Slovenia's Dimitrij Rupel said after meeting fellow foreign ministers from NATO member states in Brussels on Friday. According to Rupel, the solution for Kosovo needs to be adopted as soon as possible.
"Certain steps, certain changes that are probably to bring a change in the status of Kosovo are being adopted as we speak," Rupel said, adding that "there is a shared belief that allowing a delay or any room for alternative solutions would be extremely unwise".
Rupel pointed out that talks between parties in Belgrade after the recent election have begun and that "the Kosovo issue is complicating the talks".
He believes that a protracted debate, also in the UN Security Council, "might encourage some to seek alternative solutions", different than the one drawn up by special UN envoy Martti Ahtisaari.
"The solution for Kosovo is also a solution for Serbia and the entire region," the minister said. He noted that after the Serbian election the practice of resorting to short-term solutions needed to stop. Instead a "long-term" approach is needed, one that involves "European prospects for Serbia".
Rupel is not familiar with the contents of Ahtisaari's proposal, presented to the Kosovo Contact Group today in Vienna, as the document is "under embargo" until 2 February when it will be presented to Belgrade and Pristina. "Even if I knew the contents, I would not reveal them," Rupel added.
The minister noted that cooperation between the EU and NATO on the Serbian province, mainly populated by ethnic Albanians, was also highlighted at the meeting. He believes a uniform stance of the EU and NATO would be of great help in drawing up a UN resolution on Kosovo and reduce the possibility of a veto.
According to Rupel, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that "talks with Russia are continuing", adding that "risking the humiliation of one of the nations in the Western Balkans is not an option".
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