Serbian president accuses Kosovo of stalling key talks

Nov 12, 2010, 10:08 GMT

Belgrade - President Boris Tadic said in an interview published Friday that Serbia was ready to discuss 'everything' with Kosovo but accused its former province's ethnic Albanian leadership of 'avoiding' talks with Belgrade.

Tadic agreed to open direct talks with Kosovo in September, but no launch date, venue or agenda have been set yet.

In the meantime, early parliamentary elections in Kosovo, scheduled for February, might further delay the first meeting.

'It is a fact that the (Kosovo) Albanian side is avoiding the dialogue and is practically delaying it because it obviously does not suit it,' Tadic said in an interview with the Vecernje Novosti daily.

The talks, to be held under the auspices of the European Union, are expected to focus on everyday problems, such as customs controls, police cooperation, transport and energy.

'I want us to resolve the historic conflict of Serbs and Albanians,' Tadic said. 'In the search for a compromise, we are ready to talk with Albanians about all problems that are bothering us.'

All previous negotiations between the two sides have been about the status of Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008 with the backing of big Western nations.

Serbia continues to insist on sovereignty over the territory, where 90 per cent of the 2 million inhabitants are ethnic Albanians.

Tadic said that for Serbia, 'there are ways to have good relations with Kosovo without recognizing it.'

Belgrade officials insist that the Albanian majority routinely harasses Serbs and violates their basic civic rights.

'I want us to put a period behind murders, expulsions and arson,' Tadic said.

He echoed Thursday's remarks by the Serbian government that Kosovo Serbs should not take part in coming elections, effectively calling compatriots to boycott the vote.

As the head of state, Tadic has limited formal authority, but he is still by far the most powerful politician in Serbia and steers the country's policies with the help of his own 'kitchen cabinet.'

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