Brussels, 23/08/2007 (Agence Europe) - According to Verena Ringler, spokesperson for the EU's International Civil Representation in Kosovo, reports by the RIA Novosti Agency indicate that Wolfgang Ischinger, EU representative at the Troika Contact Group was in Pristina on Wednesday.
The visit of the German diplomat was organised by the International Civil Representation of the EU in Kosovo. The international ombudsman was planning to meet the Kosovan president Fatmir Sejdiu and the ORA Reform party leader Veton Suroi in the province. An ICR spokesperson explained to the Russian press agency that, “the fact that Mr Ischinger will head negotiations in Pristina in the absence of the two other members of the Troika, the Russian diplomat Alexander Botsan-Khartchenko and the representative from the US, Frank Wisner, is neither unexpected nor extraordinary in itself, because firstly, it is difficult and onerous to organise a visit of the whole Troika, and also, negotiations with Kosovan leaders will essentially involve specific questions on the future passage of Kosovans under EU administration”. According to Ms Ringler, contacts with the German diplomat in Pristina are expected to allow details about the new phase of dialogue between Serb and Albanian parties to be discussed on the status of Kosovo, a phase which will begin on 30 August in Vienna. Ischinger is also expected to provide Kosovan leaders and members of the Pristina delegation with the agenda for the next round of negotiations. The international ombudsman is expected to arrive in Belgrade on Thursday to also inform Serbian leaders of the agenda of the future negotiations in Vienna. (ol)