Kubis: don’t rush talks on Kosovo

Slovak Foreign Minister Ján Kubis has said that time must be given to reach a negotiated solution on Kosovo’s future, after the United Nations’ chief negotiator said he would present his plans on the province’s independence at the end of March.

Kubis, who will lead Slovakia’s presidency of the UN Security Council this month, said negotiators must be allowed enough time to reach a deal with Serbia over Kosovo’s independence.

The Belgrade authorities have so far rejected proposals to allow Kosovo, which is formally part of Serbia, but has been administered by the international community since 1998, to join international bodies such as the EU and UN.

"We would like to see that the negotiations, consultations, are as intensive as possible," said Kubis, "but of course that they are given as much time as is needed."

UN special envoy Martti Ahtisaari told EU foreign ministers on Monday (12 February) that he intended to begin "consultations" with Serb and Kosovar negotiators in Vienna on 21 February. The meeting had initially been scheduled to take place on Tuesday (13 February), but after lobbying from Serbia and the EU, Ahtisaari agreed to delay it until next week.

He will present then his advice on whether Kosovo should be independent at the end of March.

Slovakia is just one of several EU countries that favours allowing negotiations between the two sides to restart.

But aides close to Ahtisaari are sceptical that Serbian and Kosovar negotiators will be able to reach a compromise and fear Serbia is just playing for time.

Kubis called on both sides to show willingness to co-operate, warning against "artificial delays".

Officials preparing the EU for a role in overseeing Kosovo’s possible independence fear an imposed solution will make it more difficult for Kosovo to avoid becoming an EU protectorate.

Last week’s riots involving 3,000 Kosovo Albanians, which left two dead, have increased fears that further delays would prompt more violence.

Cyprus, Greece, Poland, Romania and Spain have also privately expressed their concerns about imposing Kosovo’s independence on the Belgrade authorities.

While some of these states have close ties to Serbia, there is also concern that a precedent may be set for their own national minorities or separatist entities to claim independence.

Slovakia’s government depends on the Slovak Nationalist Party (SNP) to keep its governing coalition afloat. The SNP has been vocal in its concerns about Slovakia’s Hungarian minority trying to replicate Kosovo’s calls for self-rule.

"One must register that a good number of political forces in my country are full of anxiety, are a bit cautious and are not necessarily happy with the idea of an independent Kosovo," said Kubis.

Many EU member states called for a Serbian negotiating team approved by the newly elected parliament before talks resumed.

But Ahtisaari’s aides are adamant that after one year of talks that produced few meaningful results, the process should soon conclude.

"He will send his final report [to the UN Security Council] in March," said one aide, adding that Ahtisaari would be looking for both sides to come to Vienna with a new willingness to negotiate.

"We do not accept any unnecessary or artificial postponement," the aide added.

Slovak Foreign Minister Ján Kubis has said that time must be given to reach a negotiated solution on Kosovo’s future, after the United Nations’ chief negotiator said he would present his plans on the province’s independence at the end of March.