EU Foreign Policy Chief Solana In Kosovo For Talks

PRISTINA (AP)--The European Union's foreign policy chief Javier Solana arrives in Kosovo Tuesday for talks on the province's future.

Solana expressed hope Monday during talks in Serbia's capital Belgrade that a balanced solution would be found for the contested Kosovo province at upcoming U.N.-mediated negotiations.

"It is important not only to start the process...but to be able to find a win- win solution," Solana said, adding that the E.U. will "follow very closely the development of the negotiations."

In Kosovo he will meet with President Ibrahim Rugova and the province's negotiating team that will lead the talks. He will also meet with Soren Jessen- Petersen, the top U.N. official here.

The negotiations on Kosovo's future status are expected to begin in January. Although still officially a province of Serbia-Montenegro, Kosovo has been administered by the U.N. since a 1999 NATO bombing campaign halted the Serbian crackdown on ethnic Albanian separatists.

Belgrade and Kosovo's Serb minority want the province to remain within Serbia's borders, while its ethnic Albanian majority seeks full independence.

Also visiting Tuesday is Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis, and senior foreign ministry officials from Croatia and Romania will also hold talks with Kosovo officials as the countries in the region attempt to get involved in the process of determining Kosovo's future.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires