OSCE Chairman urges Belgrade to constructively engage in Kosovo status consultations

BELGRADE, 27 February 2007 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, urged the Serbian authorities today to adopt a constructive approach in the final stage of consultations on Kosovo's future status.

"I have encouraged the Serbian leaders to be constructively involved in the Kosovo consultations," said OSCE Chairman Moratinos after meeting President Boris Tadic, Acting Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, and Acting Foreign Minister Vuk Draskovic.

"In order to preserve the multi-ethnic character of the province, all sides involved, including Belgrade, Pristina and the Kosovo Serbs, need to work out a compromise, keeping in mind that the United Nations Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari's draft proposal aims to find a resolution of the Kosovo status question."

The OSCE is not part of the Kosovo status negotiations, but follows closely the negotiations since the solution to the status settlement will impact on the future presence of the OSCE in Kosovo and in the region.

Congratulating President Tadic on the well-conducted parliamentary elections, Minister Moratinos said it was important to speed up the process of forming a new government to resume crucial reforms.

"A new reform-minded government, based on a wide coalition of pro-European political parties will help move things forward. The elections have confirmed that the people of Serbia are overwhelmingly in favour of further democratic reforms and European integration," said the OSCE Chairman.

He also stressed the need for the new government to take concrete actions and fully co-operate with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

Minister Moratinos underlined the continued assistance of the OSCE and its Mission in Serbia in helping the country achieve European standards. "It is in Europe's interest to see a consolidated and democratic Serbia," said Minister Moratinos. "In the last seven years, since the fall of Milosevic, the country has made considerable progress in democracy-building and adopting European standards. The future of Serbia is undoubtedly in Europe."