Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Kosovo: Hour's Surroi backs talks with Serbia, comprehensive decentralization

Prishtina [Pristina], 25 May: Veton Surroi, the head of The Hour, said today that the dialogue with Belgrade should be more ambitious and not just for photo opportunity.

"Prishtina and Belgrade need a dialogue not only just for a formal photo opportunity. We need to express publicly our own interests and also to know the problems Belgrade has with Kosova [Kosovo]," said Surroi.

Surroi made these comments after meeting with the representatives of the Contact Group [United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Italy], who have informed him on their Monday's meeting in London.

Surroi appreciated the Contact Group's continuous involvement in the processes in Kosova. He also expressed readiness of The Hour to participate and provide their assistance in all processes.

He also said that The Hour supports the return and freedom of movement for minorities, especially for the Serbs.

As for the reforms in local government, Surroi said that he is committed to a process that has legitimacy and legality. "We should have a comprehensive and a more ambitious decentralization process," said Surroi.

He also said that it is also important to know the number of municipalities in Kosova before municipal elections next year.

"This is a process, which requires a broad consensus in Kosova, and that not only among Albanians. The two Serb parliamentary groups should also be involved in the municipality definition process," said Surroi.

Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 25 May 05

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