Kosovo standards to be revised in July - UK envoy to Belgrade

Excerpt from report by Serbian independent news agency FoNet

Vranje, 18 May: UK Ambassador to Serbia-Montenegro David Gowen said in Vranje today that "there will be a significant revision of standards in Kosovo in July".

Gowen said that "at this moment" he could not specify what sort of revision this would be.

He "believes" that there is a way to solve the issue of Kosovo's status.

"Belgrade will certainly have a place at the table during talks on the final status of Kosovo and it must have an important role," Gowen said.

According to him, there is a very wide range of options for Kosovo.

He said that the initiative by Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and President Boris Tadic for talks with Kosovo officials "is very important".

"It is very important that there is a united platform by the Serbian government, Serbian president and the state union of Serbia-Montenegro," Gowen said.

The UK ambassador said that the fact that technical groups had renewed their efforts and continued talks was "very important".

Gowen "believes" that "talks between Kostunica and Kosumi will contribute to the progress of dialogue".

The UK ambassador today attended a ceremony at the British American Tobacco [BAT] plant in Vranje, at which the Serbian Chamber of Commerce president Slobodan Milosavljevic presented BAT with the Chamber's annual award for the most successful company.

Source: FoNet news agency, Belgrade, in Serbian 1325 gmt 18 May 05