Brussels, 21/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - Talks between Serbia and Kosovo resumed on Monday 21 November, in Brussels, after a two-month interruption following tension at the northern Kosovo border. Discussion covered telecommunications, energy, representation of Kosovo in regional organisations, and the recognition of qualifications, Catherine Ashton's spokesperson said. A European source specified that talks may also cover border crossing posts. The EU is expected to propose that controversial border points should be placed under the joint control of both states, under supervision of the European mission in Kosovo (EULEX). The Kosovar foreign minister, Enver Hoxhaj, explained on Monday 21 November, that his country was willing to accept integrated border management, a model that currently works between several European states. He said the northern border (with Serbia) is an independent state border and as such falls within the sphere of competence of the central government. He ruled out any change to the borders.
Borislav Stefanovic, who heads the Serb negotiating team, told B92 media on Sunday 20 November that it will be very difficult to find an agreement on sensitive issues as, in his view, the solution to such matters comes up against Pristina's insistence for confirmation of its self-proclaimed statehood. “We cannot accept that”, he added. Serbian President Boris Tadic stated on Monday that it was out of the question for his country to “explicitly or implicitly recognise the independence of Kosovo” during the talks.
Resumption of the talks is one of the conditions set by the European Commission for its support to Serbia's candidate status. Member states are due to take a stance on this status at the European Council of 9 December. (CG/transl.jl)