Brussels, 15/10/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Sunday 14 October in Brussels, the meeting organised by the Troika allowed the Serbs and the Kosovars to present greater detail on their respective positions on the future of Kosovo, but without giving rise to tangible progress towards a solution. Both sides continued their direct exchanges started in New York on 28 September, at the previous meeting under the supervision of the three mediators (American, European and Russian). During the technical discussions, Russia was seeking in particular to reach points of agreement between both sides, before going on to attack the fundamental question of the status.
“Belgrade further described its proposal of autonomy for Kosovo within Serbia”, stated a press release published after the meeting, whereas “Pristina elaborated its proposal of friendship and cooperation between two independent States”. The Kosovar President, Fatmir Sejdiu, confirmed to the press that he “entirely” rejected the Serbs' plan, as the Serbs have accused Pristina of playing a waiting game, waiting for 10 December, when a report will be presented to the Secretary-General of the UN on the results of the negotiations. For its part, the Troika voiced its hopes that the elections planned in Kosovo for 17 November would take place against a backdrop of calm and with a high participation of the communities, in the hope that more substantial progress can be made thereafter. Both sides agreed to meet again in Vienna on 22 October, before stepping up their meetings in the coming weeks. (A.B.)