Brussels, 09/09/2010 (Agence Europe) - Discussion begun on Tuesday evening between Catherine Ashton and Serb President Boris Tadic on the draft resolution on Kosovo that Serbia planned to present to the UN General Assembly on Thursday 9 September (see EUROPE 10210) finally reached a conclusion on Wednesday evening when the EU high representative for foreign affairs announced a compromise on a text that meets with the satisfaction of both Belgrade and the 27 member states. The text on the recent opinion delivered by the International Court of Justice on Kosovo's declaration of independence was transformed into a “joint resolution” to be co-sponsored in New York by Serbia and the 27 EU member states, Ashton underlined in a press release on Wednesday evening. “This result today is a reflection of our common commitment to Serbia's European perspective”, Ashton said. Boris Tadic also welcomed the compromise saying: “We found a formula that opens a dialogue on future solutions, which refers to the Charter of the United Nations and that does not include recognition of Kosovo's independence in any way”. The new text stipulates among other things that the “dialogue” between Belgrade and Pristina will be aimed at stimulating cooperation, making progress on the road to the EU, and improving the lives of the people. This wording comes in response to the EU's request to prevent the (persisting) differences between Belgrade and Pristina on the status of Kosovo from preventing dialogue between the two sides on questions likely to improve the living conditions of the Serb and Kosovar populations. The text, moreover, welcomes the “readiness of the EU to facilitate the process of dialogue”. The expression in the text initially submitted by Serbia, stating that any unilateral secession is an “unacceptable” way to resolve territorial issues, has been removed. (H.B./transl.jl)