Serbia agrees with EU watered-down UN resolution on Kosovo (Roundup)

Sep 8, 2010, 20:03 GMT

Brussels/Belgrade - The European Union's top diplomat on Wednesday hailed Serbia's acceptance to water down its controversial resolution on Kosovo, due to be presented at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on the following day.

But the decision drew mixed reactions in the Serbian capital Belgrade and among Kosovo Serbs.

Bowing to weeks of diplomatic pressure from leading EU nations such as Germany and France, Belgrade indicated earlier Wednesday that it had struck 'a compromise' with the bloc on a joint text, expected to no longer directly challenge Kosovo's independence.

'I warmly welcome the announcement,' the EU's foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, said in a statement.

'This draft resolution will now be a resolution put forward by 28 European countries. All 27 EU member states and Serbia will be co- sponsoring this draft resolution,' she added.

In the new text, Serbia has dropped its calls for the condemnation of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence and for renewed talks on Kosovo's status.

The new document acknowledges the July ruling by the International Court of Justice that the declaration of independence violated no international laws and 'welcomes the readiness of the EU to facilitate the process of dialogue' between Serbia and Kosovo.

Serbia also agrees to transfer the venue of talks on Kosovo from the UN, where it had the backing of its superpower ally Russia, to the EU, where 22 out of the 27 member states have recognized Kosovo as Europe's newest country. Greece, Spain, Romania, Slovakia and Cyprus have not.

In Serbia and among Kosovo Serbs, the decision to water down the resolution drew labels ranging from 'brave' to 'treacherous.'

The agreed-to resolution defends Serbian interests 'by peaceful and diplomatic means,' Serbian President Boris Tadic said in a statement, adding that Belgrade acted 'on an honest wish to resolve all issues in a partnership with the EU and other important international players.'

The nationalist former premier Vojislav Kostunica's opposition Democratic Party of Serbia, however, described the move as a 'capitulation to ultimatums from Western powers and confiscation of Kosovo.'

In Kosovo, Serb leaders had called for a more down-to-earth approach, with the moderate Rada Trajkovic saying in a televised interview earlier Wednesday that Belgrade needs to 'face the reality' and open a dialogue with Kosovo, even if it continues to refuse it formal recognition.

But a key leader from the largest Serb enclave in Kosovo - a nation with an overwhelming Albanian majority - blasted the resolution.

'It will undermine and aggravate the Serb position in Kosovo,' nationalist hardliner Mladen Ivanovic told the Beta news agency.

Ashton said UNGA approval of the resolution should pave the way for the start of the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue, which would be 'in itself a factor for peace, security and stability in the region.'

The EU's foreign policy supremo had met Tadic late Tuesday in Brussels, but their meeting failed to provide a breakthrough. However, EU diplomats indicated on Wednesday that negotiations were continuing, hinting that a deal was in sight.

Kosovo declared independence in 2008, 11 years after NATO ousted Serbian forces from there to end a lopsided war.

The new-born country was backed by the US and the leading EU nations, which quickly recognized it. Supported by Russia in the UN, Serbia however hampered the new country's full promotion.

Serbia's initial reaction to the setback was to announce it would still challenge Kosovo's secession at the UNGA.

But German and British foreign ministers warned during recent visits to Belgrade that the country was risking its ties with the EU by focusing its entire diplomatic efforts on a lost battle.