BRUSSELS, April 20 (Reuters) - The European Union urged Kosovo's ethnic Albanian president, Ibrahim Rugova, on Wednesday to start a dialogue with Serbia about the future of his United Nations-run province.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said the move would help possible international negotiations later this year on the status of Kosovo, which has been a U.N. protectorate since NATO warplanes drove Serbian forces out in 1999.
Serbia's pro-Western president, Boris Tadic, has signalled he is ready to meet Rugova on the future of the province, where 90 percent of the population are ethnic Albanian, but Kosovo's leader has ruled out direct talks in his drive for independence.
"It is very important to start a constructive dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina (Kosovo's capital)," Rehn told a news conference, unveiling a paper by the executive European Commission's on assistance to Kosovo.
"I have noted positive developments in this regard - the willingness to stretch the hand by President Tadic, and I encourage President Rugova to take this seriously and proceed to have a constructive dialogue," he said.
Rugova led a campaign of passive resistance against Serb domination in the 1990s.
Brutal Serbian tactics to put down an ethnic Albanian insurgency and accusations of "ethnic cleansing" eventually provided the grounds for a 1999 NATO air war against Belgrade and its forces in Kosovo.
Rehn said the Commission was ready to help Kosovo's gradual integration with the rest of Europe, including with more financial aid, if the province's leaders were serious about a peaceful settlement of the conflict and political reforms.
"The Commission will ... help Kosovo to make progress towards its European aspirations, provided its political leaders demonstrate a clear commitment to democratic principles, human rights, rule of law and economic reform," he said.
The EU has spent 1.6 billion euros since 1999 on reconstruction, humanitarian aid and economic assistance to Kosovo, but Rehn acknowledged the international community had not yet succeeded in fostering a viable economy there.
The Commission recommended last week opening talks with Serbia and Montenegro on a first association agreement with the EU that could eventually lead to the former Yugoslav republic's entry to the bloc.
Under its well-tested policies, the EU makes democratic, human rights and free market reforms in European countries a condition for eventual membership prospects.
"Ultimately, Kosovo's future is in the hand of its people," Rehn said.
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5 comments:
As these same people encouraged and rewarded Rugova for not speaking to Serbian leaders for fifteen years, they ought not to be surprised if their request is ignored. Rugova did see the Yugoslavian leader in 1998, but he was soon off to Washington where he was told that he could no longer had to perform such an onerous and degrading duty. Peace is such a terrible thing, isn't it.
There must be no meeting under any circumstance between the two presidents. Serb government has still to apologize for the war crimes and Rugova will step on the blood of the victims if he talks to him. Also, has the serb government apologized for Rugova's own kidnaping in 1999?
President of Kosova, Mr. Rugova is asking now to meet with Tadic in a third place, otherwise there is no way of dialogue in Pristina or Belgrade as it was offered by Mr. Tadic. Not at this stage, not at all.
There is no serious talks, if you make such inferior offer, by the simple reason - Belgrade should keep in mind that Kosova is no longer its province-, and they have to address to our representatives as they do with any other state offical's.
However, this i sign that Belgrade is feeling the movement toward Status of Kosova, and i guess they still beleive in playing an old game, but we - Kosovar's are convinced that they will not play with Kosova, not anymore. Greetings to Mr. Tadic!...All the best to Mr. RUGOVA.
First of all the name of the land is KOSOVO and not Kosova!Kosovars are Serbs from the teritory of Kosovo - it is a Serbian word which can be seen from its linguistic ending -ar! Second of all it is still a part of Serbia and Albanians are braking 1244 when they refer to it as an independent state.How come can they be so sure that it will be ever separated from Serbia?
How did Albanians come to Kosovo and how did they get the idea that it is theirs is not discussed at this point but it is of high importance! Anybody who is interested in the situation should start from the root! I think that the story about "big bad Serbs who are to be blamed for all the troubles in the region" is a fary tale in which not even childen can believe anymore!
First of all the name of the land is KOSOVO and not Kosova!Kosovars are Serbs from the teritory of Kosovo - it is a Serbian word which can be seen from its linguistic ending -ar! Second of all it is still a part of Serbia and Albanians are braking 1244 when they refer to it as an independent state.How come can they be so sure that it will be ever separated from Serbia?
How did Albanians come to Kosovo and how did they get the idea that it is theirs is not discussed at this point but it is of high importance! Anybody who is interested in the situation should start from the root! I think that the story about "big bad Serbs who are to be blamed for all the troubles in the region" is a fary tale in which not even childen can believe anymore!
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