Kosovo premier expects final status talks to be launched in September

Kosovo Prime Minister Bajram Kosumi, who is visiting Slovenia, expressed hope Wednesday that talks on Kosovo's final status will be launched in September and finish in less than a year.

Kosumi expressed his hope at a news conference in Ljubljana after a meeting with Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, according to Slovenian news agency STA.

Under a de facto UN protectorate, Kosovo is legally part of Serbia. Its future status remains a bitter subject for the independence-seeking Pristina and the independence-against Belgrade, which insists on the formula of "more than autonomy, short of independence".

In the latest UN Security Council report on Kosovo's situation, Kosumi conceded that the province has problems in almost all fields, but Kosovo's institutions are democratic and stable.

Before the final status talks, the international community expects Kosovo to meet eight requirements, including the establishment of effective and democratic institutions, protection of minorities, economic development, setting up the rule of law, protection of movement freedom and property rights.

Kosumi said Kosovo will seek the assistance of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which is currently chaired by Rupel, to meet the requirements.

Kosumi and Rupel also agreed that talks between Belgrade and Pristina on the independence issue should continue.

Source: Xinhua