Belgrade, 21. 11. 2007.

KOSOVO-METOHIJA NEGOTIATIONS

• BELGRADE'S PROPOSAL FREEZES KOSOVO STATUS FOR 20 YEARS
• TADIC & KOSTUNICA: ETHNIC ALBANIANS STILL REFUSE TO NEGOTIATE
• JEREMIC: TROIKA DID NOT PRESENT ANY PROPOSAL TO BELGRADE
• FIFTH ROUND OF DIRECT BELGRADE-PRISTINA NEGOTIATIONS ENDS
• TROIKA SCHEDULES THREE-DAY NEGOTIATIONS FOR NOVEMBER 26
• SOLANA: GREATER EFFORTS FOR ACCEPTABLE SOLUTION TO KOSOVO
• BOTSAN-KHARCHENKO SAYS TROIKA WILL VISIT BELGRADE, PRISTINA
• RUPEL SAYS MODEL OF ALAND ISLANDS ORIGINAL
• KAMININ: ELECTION HAD NEGATIVE EFFECT ON KOSOVO NEGOTIATIONS
• HISENI: BELGRADE'S PROPOSALS INAPPLICABLE IN KOSOVO
• CRVENKOVSKI DOES NOT EXPECT AGREEMENT ON KOSOVO BY DEC. 10
• GRUEVSKI FAVOURS PROGRESS IN BELGRADE-PRISTINA NEGOTIATIONS

• BELGRADE REJECTS POSSIBILITY OF NEUTRAL STATUS OF KOSOVO
• BELGRADE PRESENTS EXAMPLE OF ALAND ISLANDS FOR KOSOVO
• KOSTUNICA: EU WILL HAVE TO HARMONISE STAND WITH UN RESOLUTION
• DULIC: KOSOVO ISSUE BIG TEST FOR BALKANS STABILITY
• MERKEL AND PRODI URGE FOR EUROP'S HARMONIZED STAND ON KOSOVO
• BOTSAN-KHARCHENKO: ARGUMENT AS STRONG AS REINFORCED CONCRETE
• PARISI: KOSOVO BIGGEST CONCERN FOR ITALY AT THIS POINT
• KALFIN OPPOSES UNILATERAL DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
• VUJANOVIC: INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SHOULD HELP WITH KOSOVO

• ATHENS: EU REACTS POSITIVELY TO BAKOYANNIS'S SUGGESTION

• KOSTUNICA: RESOLUTION 1244, DAYTON ACCORDS TO BE OBSERVED
• MONTENEGRIN & SERBIAN DEFENCE MINISTRIES READY TO COOPERATE
• SUTANOVAC SAYS NATO GUARANTEED SECURITY IN KOSOVO
• PASKALJEVIC DECORATED WITH ART AWARD BY FRANCE
• U.S. EMBASSY DENIES CLAIMS

BRUSSELS/BELGRADE, Nov 20 (Tanjug) - Serbia's state negotiating team proposed Tuesday at the talks in Brussels that the solution for the status of Kosovo and Metohija, in the form of essential autonomy, should be frozen for 20 years. The Belgrade delegation came up with a comparative analysis of the model of essential autonomy of Hong Kong, the Aland Islands and Kosovo, as functional solutions in keeping with the UN Charter, the Serbian government announced. Coupled with the example of the functioning of the Hong Kong autonomy within China, which was presented at the previous round of talks in Vienna, by giving the example of the Aland Islands, the Serbian state delegation has developed a comparative presentation of how functional are the solutions it is proposing and which are in keeping with the UN Charter and the fundamental principles of the respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of internationally-recognized states. In the case of the constitutionally-legal framework of the Aland Islands, the sovereignty of Finland is recognized. The territory of Finland is indivisible. National borders cannot be changed without the agreement of the parliament. The Aland Islands have self-governance in accordance with what is specified in the Autonomy Act. Belgrade's proposal says that Kosovo, starting from the fact that it is an integral part of the territory of Serbia, has the position of essential autonomy within the sovereign state of Serbia and that the constitutional obligations of all state organs stem from such a position that they should represent and protect Serbia's state interests in Kosovo and Metohija in all internal and foreign affairs (Constitution of the Republic of Serbia, Preamble). Serbia's sole jurisdiction in the case of Kosovo would be in the sphere of the foreign policy, control of the borders, protection of the Serb religious and cultural heritage. Serbia would solely be in charge of defence and this would not be applied in Kosovo. According to Belgrade's proposal, Kosovo would be solely in charge of its budget, economic policy, agriculture, the media, education, protection of the environment, youth, sports, fiscal policy, internal affairs, health care, energy, infrastructure and employment. Kosovo would independently elect and develop its institutions, and Serbia would not interfere in this. Kosovo would have legislative powers in the spheres of its sole jurisdiction and in other cases determined by the agreement. Serbia could not change and abolish laws in Kosovo, Kosovo would have executive powers, an independent and complete judicial system in charge of disputes in the sole jurisdiction of Kosovo and in other cases determined in the agreement. Belgrade's proposal calls for a transitional period under EU monitoring and the presence of international judges. In keeping with the example of Finland and the Aland Islands, in the case of Kosovo Serbia is the subject of international law and Kosovo is offered as its exclusive jurisdiction the negotiating of agreements with other states and international organizations. Kosovo prepares agreements in consultations with Serbia, while Belgrade formally signs the agreements along with the signature with Kosovo and Metohija. In the event of Serbia being called to responsibility for failing to meet international obligations from within the jurisdiction of Kosovo, it is responsible vis-a-vis Serbia. In areas of the reserved jurisdiction of Serbia, representatives of Kosovo are included in the negotiations and preparations of agreements, and Serbia signs them. Kosovo has the right to open trade/economic representative offices in countries of its own interest and it is able to become a member of regional initiatives and organizations that permit this status to non-sovereign territories. Serbia provides diplomatic-consular protection to all citizens, and the forming of Kosovo offices for consular affairs is possible within the diplomatic-consular representative offices of Serbia. The Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a liaison office in Kosovo, and the status of foreign diplomatic-consular representative offices in Pristina is possible at the level of consulates general. In the area of defense in Kosovo, Serbia proposes an interim international military presence and demilitarization. Regarding Hong Kong, which has already been presented in detail in public, of essential importance is the fact that this area presents the indivisible part of China and has a high degree of autonomy, with the exception of foreign and defense affairs for which the central government in Beijing is responsible.

BRUSSELS, Nov 21 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic and Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica expressed regret in Brussels late on Tuesday, after the conclusion of the 5th round of negotiations on future Kosovo-Metohija status, over the fact that the Kosovo Albanian delegation continued to refuse to negotiate on status and to take an active part in the process led by the Troika. The ethnic Albanian side did not express a wish to negotiate on status this time either, but rather just talked about post-status relations of two independent states, Tadic said, and Kostunica expressed regret over such a stand of the Pristina delegation. At the same time, President Tadic underlined that Belgrade refused to accept any artificial deadlines or imposed solutions. We believe that it is still possible to find a mutually acceptable solution., and we hope that Hasim Taci and other authorities of the temporary Kosovo government will not take any unilateral steps, Tadic said. He underscored that at the Tuesday meeting, Belgrade had presented its principled position and that it had once more made a step forward by giving examples for the functioning of substantial autonomy in Kosovo. Once again we explained that our intention is not to copy Hong Kong or the Aland Islands, but rather to find the best elements which could eventually create a basis for a flexible model for the resolution of Kosovo-Metohija status, the Serbian president pointed out. At the same time, Serbia once again proved that it does not and will not give up on the status of its sovereignty over Kosovo and Metohija, that it does not accept a disintegration of its own state, Tadic underscored. Prime Minister Kostunica pointed out that at the forthcoming negotiations in Baden, scheduled for November 26, Serbia would continue to elaborate on its proposal on substantial autonomy, in spite of the fact that the ethnic Albanian side had refused on Tuesday to hear the Serbian proposals. I am convinced that such a solution is sustainable, good and one which is based on law, Kostunica stressed. Substantial autonomy is an idea on which the Serbian delegation has been insisting all along, and this is a formulation which is present in (UN Security Council) Resolution 1244, Kostunica said. We proved on Tuesday that substantial autonomy is not just a phrase, but rather that we have concrete examples regarding the way in which China functions with with Hong Kong, Finland with the Aland Islands and Serbia with Kosovo-Metohija.

BRUSSELS, Nov 20 (Tanjug) - The mediating troika of the Contact Group did not present any proposal at the meeting with the Serbian delegation in Brussels on Tuesday, including any proposal on an alleged neutral status as the solution for Kosovo and Metohija province, Serbian Foriegn Minister Vuk Jeremic said. The delegation did not receive any proposal, he said. The troika might come out with some questions during the afternoon meeting, test the field on one side and on the other, but no proposal was made to the Serbian delegation this morning, Jeremic told reporters. He emphasized that today's direct meeting between Belgrade and Pristina is very important. After the meeting, a framework will be created for the last round of talks which is planned for Nov 26-28 near Vienna, Jeremic said. Serbia will do everything in order finally to set into motion the process in the form of real talks, he said, since there can be no compromise without negotiations. Belgrade will also insist that in no event may any unilateral steps be taken, the Serbian foreign minister said.Every step will be coordinatedBRUSSELS, Nov 20 (Tanjug) - President of the provisional institutions of self-government in Kosovo and Metohija Fatmir Sejdiju said in Brussels on Tuesday, following a meeting with the Contact Group mediation Troika with the EU's high representative for the cfsp, that after December 10 Pristina would "coordinate every step with those who have supported it so far." "The independence of Kosovo is an existential issue for the citizens of Kosovo...We also want to integrate Euroatlantic structures," Sejdiju told reporters, and added that "independence has no alternative."

BRUSSELS, Nov 20 (Tanjug) - The 5th round of direct negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina, mediated by the Contact Group's troika, ended in Brussels on Tuesday. The direct meeting was preceded by troika's separate meetings with the delegations. The state negotiating team, headed by Serbian President Boris Tadic and Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, presented the case of the Aland Islands, which are populated by Swedes, but belong to Finland, to the negotiating troika as an example of successful essential autonomy in Europe. The Pristina delegation, headed by President of provisional self-rule institutions in Kosovo-Metohija Fatmir Sejdiu, did not come out with new proposals. Instead, it focused on the period after December 10, the date when the troika would present its report to the UN secretary-general. Sejdiu told reporters that he expected that Pristina would declare Kosovo's independence in cooperation with the "states which have supported it so far." At its meeting with the Serbian delegation on Tuesday, the troika did not present any proposals, including that on the neutral status of Kosovo-Metohija.

BRUSSELS, Nov 20 (Tanjug) - The Contact Group's mediating troika scheduled the next three-day round of negotiations on the future status of Kosovo-Metohija for November 26 in Baden, near Vienna. The troika's statement said that at the Tuesday meeting, Pristina had described its vision of supervised independence of Kosovo in keeping with the proposals of UN special envoy Martti Ahtisaari, while Belgrade continued to explain to Pristina its vision of high autonomy for Kosovo within Serbia's borders. Both sides reiterated their promise that they will refrain from any moves or statements that might jeopardise the security situation in Kosovo, the statement said. The troika voiced its determination to invest strong efforts to ensure an agreement between the two sides and reiterated that the process under its auspices would be completed on December 10.

BRUSSELS, Nov 21 (Tanjug) - EU High Representative for the CFSP Javier Solana said in Brussels on Wednesday, following talks with Albanian President Bamir Topi, that in the next few weeks all the sides should make greater efforts to find a solution to Kosovo and Metohija "acceptable to all." In mid-December there will be several important dates for Kosovo. It is important that everyone make efforts to arrive at a solution that would be agreed by all the sides and which would be acceptable to all, Solana said. The EU high representative pointed out that he expected from Albania to make a constructive contribution in this respect, so that the stability in the Balkans would be guaranteed. Topi called on Kosovo provisional institutions to agree as soon as possible on the formation of new authorities and to cooperate closely with EU member states and with the United States "in the careful coordination of their programmes of activity."

BRUSSELS, Nov 21 (Tanjug) - Russian representative in the Contact Group's mediating Troika Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko announced in Brussels late on Tuesday that the international mediators had the intention of visiting Belgrade and Pristina once more before the end of their mandate, Dec. 10. The visit, as Botsan-Kharchenko explained for Itar-Tass, would probably take place after the next round of negotiations on Kosovo-Metohija status, which are scheduled to be held in Baden, near Vienna, on November 26-28. After that, the Troika will began drafting a report on its work, which will be further elaborated on by the Contact Group, which comprises of Russia, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, the United States and France. Botsan-Kharchenko expressed regret over the fact that the Pristina delegation was not interested in any other option, except that of independence. "They adhered to the independence of Kosovo before and after the (parliamentary) elections. We regret that the Kosovo side sticks to the demand of independence and has no interest in any other options," the Russian diplomat said. Refusing to speculate on the possibility of a unilateral proclamation of Kosovo's independence without a corresponding decision of the UN Security Council, Botsan-Kharchenko said, while commenting on the intention of certain Western nations to find a formula for acknowledging the self-declared independence, that "that would be senseless, as no formula can make this decision legit."

BRUSSELS, Nov 21 (Tanjug) - Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel qualified on Tuesday as original Serbia's latest proposal that Kosovo and Metohija be given a status which was similar to the one the Aland Islands had in Finland, but could not say whether Kosovo Albanians would find it accepatable as well. I find this proposal original, but I do not know whether it is acceptable for the Kosovo side as well, he said. Rupel also pointed to the need that more effort be made when time came for protecting the Serbian cultural monuments and the Serb population in Kosovo. The Slovenian minister added that this issue was also discussed in Brussels, and expressed belief that original solutions would be found.

MOSCOW, Nov 20 (Tanjug) - Election campaign in Kosovo-Metohija had a negative effect on the direct Belgrade-Pristina negotiations on the status of the province, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kaminin said on Tuesday. Reiterating Moscow's criticism that the decision of the UNMIK head about the deadlines and conditions for the elections in Kosovo was short-sighted, Kaminin said that the elections had practically contributed to the increase of inter-ethnic differences and resulted in a likelihood that there would be a serious deterioration of security. Kaminin said that the question was how legitimate the bodies of power formed without the participation of Serbs would be and added that Serbs had boycotted the elections because of the inability of international structures to ensure the efficient realisation of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and because of the increasingly frequent statements of Albanian leaders on readiness to unilaterally declare Kosovo's independence very soon.

BRUSSELS, Nov 21 (Tanjug) - The Kosovo Albanian delegetation late on Tuesday, during the 5th round of direct negotiations, dismissed Belgrade's proposals, assessing that they were inapplicable for Kosovo and Metohija, Pristina's delegation spokesman Skender Hiseni said after the meeting. None of the proposed suggestions can be applied in Kosovo.Kosovo is a unique case, Hiseni said, while answering to the questions of the press referring to the examples of Hong Kong and the Aland Islands the Serbian side had put forward. Asked how the two sides would fill up the three days of negotiations next week since their stands were still diametrically opposed, Hiseni answered by saying that they would be creative enough to waste those three days.

SKOPJE, Nov 20 (Beta) - Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski does not expect Belgrade and Pristina to reach an agreement on the final status of Kosovo by Dec. 10, when negotiations mediated by the Contact Group troika are due to end. Crvenkovski said "several scenarios" were possible after that date, which would "cause turbulence" over a longer period."In order to prevent such turbulence, what is necessary is general political stability and not allowing any tension to arise related to ethnic relations in Macedonia," he said.Macedonia's president stressed that the biggest guarantee for preserving territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country was NATO membership. Crvenkovski spoke in a debate on the topic "Macedonia EU and NATO, What Next," the fourth in the "Dialog for Macedonia" debate series.

SKOPJE, Nov 20 (Tanjug) - Montenegrin Prime Minister Zeljko Sturanovic and Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said that it would be good if the EU found a solution for the issue of Kosovo, which would be acceptable for Belgrade and Pristina. It would be much better if Belgrade and Pristina achieved progress in negotiations with the mediation of the international community, Gruevski said, according to the Macedonian news agency MIA. Gruevski said that Macedonia and Montenegro were monitoring the situation in Kosovo, although they were not the "key factors in the finding of the final solution," but he said that the outcome was exceptionally important for both countries.

BRUSSELS, Nov 20 (Tanjug) - Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said in Brussels after the end of the 5th round of direct negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina on Tuesday that the Serbian delegation had rejected any possibility of accepting a neutral status of Kosovo-Metohija. Although the mediating troika did not officially present any proposal at the meeting, US representative Frank Wisner talked about some kind of neutral status of Kosovo-Metohija and asked the Belgrade delegation if such a solution would be acceptable. "My answer was negotiations... We may discuss a partnership after we resolve the issue of status, in accordance with the principles of international law," Kostunica said and added that Kosovo Premier Agim Ceku had voiced a stand similar to Wisner's. Kostunica said that the neutral status was a "trick - another word aimed at trying to conceal the fact that under this proposal Kosovo and Serbia should be two separate states."

BRUSSELS, Nov 20 (Tanjug) - Serbia's state negotiating team presented in Brussels on Tuesday, at a meeting with the Contact Group troika of mediators, the case of the Aland Islands which are populated by Swedes, but territorially are a part of Finland, as an example of the successful functioning of essential autonomy in Europe. "Our side has reiterated the case of the Aland Islands in Finland as an example of a functional autonomy solution," Serbian Kosovo and Metohija Minister Slobodan Samardzic told reporters immediately after meeting with the troika. He said that the troika reacted to Belgrade's example "with interest and attention." "The last time it was said that Hong Kong is an Asian case and that it is populated by the Chinese. Now, however, they did not make such remarks, because the Aland Islands are within Europe and the European Union and are populated by the Swedes, not the Finns," Samardzic set out, adding that "a widespread autonomy has been functioning on these islands for more than 80 years."

BRUSSELS, Nov 21 (Tanjug) - Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said in Brussels late on Tuesday that the EU member countries, as members of the UN, would have to harmonise their stand with a resolution of the UN Security Council which would define the status of Kosovo and Metohija. After the conclusion of the 5th round of direct Belgrade-Pristina negotiations, Kostunica pointed out that there was just one body, and not just in case of Kosovo-Metohija, which was above the European Union - the body of the United Nations. It is quite clear that things have to be resolved by a new resolution of the UN Security Council, and the EU with its 27 member states, which are also members of the UN, will have to harmonise their stands with the UN Security Council resolution, Kostunica underlined while answering to the questions of the press.

NEW YORK, Nov 21 (Tanjug) - Serbian parliament speaker Oliver Dulic has said in New York that the issue of future Kosovo-Metohija status will be a big test for the region's stability, pointing out that it is the United Nations where this issue has to be resolved. Dulic made the statement during his meeting with President of the UN General Assembly Srdjan Kerim. The topics of the talks included the issue of West Balkans stability and boosting of democracy. Dulic is heading a Serbian parliamentary delegation at a session of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, in the organisation of the UN, and on Wednesday and Thursday, he is also supposed to have talks with heads of the delegations of the UN SC member states.

BERLIN, Nov 21 (Tanjug) - At consultations between the government of Germany and Italy in Berlin on Wednesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi urged for a harmonized stand of Europe in the resolution of the Kosovo issue. Merkel and Prodi discussed how to control the situation in Kosovo by the end of the year, the German government stated on its official website. We wish to do everything in order for a coordinated and harmonized stand of Europe to get implemented, Merkel said. She also said that there has to be a single solution that is as harmonious as possible between Serbia and Kosovo. One thing is clear, Europe has to assume responsibility in the process of resolving the Kosovo issue, it was said on the German government homepage.

MOSCOW, Nov 21 (Tanjug) - Russian representative in the Contact Group Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko has stated that in regards to the issue of Kosovo and Metohija status, Serbia's sovereignty may not be deleted and the argument is as strong as "reinforced concrete." Unlike the United States of America, Russia looks at the issue of Kosovo and Metohija from the point of view of international law and believes that Serbia's sovereignty may not be ignored, Botsan-Kharchenko said in an interview published by Izvestiya on Wednesday. The Russian diplomat believes that independence of Kosovo against Belgrade's will, or declared unilaterally, would be dangerous, because it would inspire separatism. Botsan-Kharchenko cautioned that a unilateral scenario is dangerous for the Balkans because "the Serbs would not agree to a separation of Kosovo," while "the European Union would have an actual division of the province," which is incommensurate with the task of the negotiation Troika on multiethnic Kosovo. "Thirdly, Kosovo would create a precedent," underscored the Russian diplomat, who is also a member of the negotiation Troika, within which Belgrade and Pristina are conducting direct talks. Botsan-Kharchenko evaluated that the negotiation process is obstructed by the moves that are not aimed at reaching a compromise, underscoring that UNMIK, which had called elections, did not help. "It is entirely unclear on what basis the Mission made such a decision," said he. According to him, "the Americans believes that Kosovo is already separated de facto" and "for some reason" it "should be agreed within the Contact Group and the UN Security Council that Kosovo is a unique case." "Such an approach would allegedly influence unrecognized republics to act according to the 'Kosovo scenario.' However, other regions would hardly agree that someone is allowed to do something, while others are not," said Botsan-Kharchenko.

ROME, Nov 20 (Tanjug) - The situation in Kosovo and Metohija is at this point a greater concern for Italian peacekeeping forces than its missions in Lebanon or Afghanistan, said on Wednesday Italy's Defence Minister Arturo Parisi. Italy has the second largest contingent within NATO in the southern Serbian province, with 2,200 Italian troops. Parisi said that a potential change in Kosovo would be cause for security concern also in others spots, while he described the situation in Afghanistan as "stable in its instability." Kosovo is most certainly our biggest concern. It is prone to change and to possible tension. At the same time it is a region closest to Italy, Parisi added. The Italian minister said that, immediately after Kosovo, the second biggest concern for Italy was the situation in Lebanon, where it is heading UN peacekeeping forces known as UNIFIL.

SOFIA, November 20 (Tanjug) - A unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo is not in anybody's interest, Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivailo Kalfin said after a meeting of EU member-states' ambassadors in Sofia. "I hope that Kosovo will not declare independence at the lack of agreement immediately after December 10 when the international mediators should present a report on the results of the negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina before the UN secretary-general," Kalfin said. According to the Bulgarian news agency BTA, the Bulgarian minister said that certain processes should take place after that date. If the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina is exhausted there should be dialogue between the international community and Pristina and the international community and Belgrade, Kalfin said. Before a result on this dialogue is reached it would not be beneficial to declare independence, he said. The EU should seek maximum concordance among the Community countries at each individual development of the situation in Kosovo and Kosovo should not be allowed to destabilize the entire region, it was pointed out at the ambassadors' meeting in Sofia. The meeting was held at the initiative of Portuguese Ambassador to Bulgaria dos Santos, whose country currently holds the EU Presidency.

PODGORICA, Nov 20 (Tanjug) - Montenegrin President Vujanovic said that the resolution of the future status of Kosovo and Metohija should be the result of agreement between the Serb and Pristina governments and called on the international community to help Belgrade and Pristina reach an agreement. Vujanovic told that the international community should urgently help find an solution acceptable to both sides. Vujanovic noted that Montenegro would not take a position on any solution to the Kosovo issue that is not the result of agreement between Belgrade and Pristina. "Montenegro will not take a stand on any solution that is not the result of agreement, nor will it contribute in any manner by its statements to any kind of solution that does not result from agreement," Vujanovic set out, adding that from the start Montenegro has consistently announced this position which, has been met with the full understanding of the international community. Vujanovic pointed out that Montenegro urges that a sustainable solution for the status of Kosovo is reached through agreement, because only such a solution guarrantees the stability of the region.

ATHENS, Nov 20 (Tanjug) - Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos said in Athens on Tuesday that European officials had reacted positively to the suggestion of Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis that the European Union sign the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with Serbia immediately. Koumoutsakos said that EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn and Portugal, which presides the EU, had reacted positively to the suggestion which Bakoyannis had voiced at the EU Council of Ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday, Greek media reported. Bakoyannis also suggested that EU heads of state decide in December 2008 whether Serbia would get the candidate status. Lisbon suggested that this proposal be discussed at the next European Council meeting in December, Koumoutsakos said. Asked what consequences the suggestion might have on the development of the situation in Serbia regarding Kosovo, the spokesman said, however, that there were no direct or indirect links and ruled out the idea that this suggestion represented the sugar coating for the bitter pill of Kosovo's independence. He explained that this suggestion had been encouraged by the development of the situation in the region and particularly concern regarding the resolution of Kosovo's future status. The suggestion is a result of concern for the Balkans which, according to us, should get a specific, positive and practical message from the European Union, Koumoutsakos said.

BELGRADE, Nov 21 (Tanjug) - Serbia insists on a full respect of both UN Resolution 1244, as far as Kosovo and Metohija is concerende, and the Dayton Peace Accords, when it comes to Republika Srpska (RS), Serbian Prime Minister Vojslav Kostunica said in a text published in the Wednesday issue of the Belgrade daily Vecernje Novosti. The text was published in a special enclosure to the newspaper, dubbed "Srpska Remains of the Serbs," which is dedicated to the 12th anniversary of the Dayton Agreement. Kostunica reminded that Serbia was a signor, and therefore also a guarantor of the Dayton Agreement, which was why the country had a full and legitimate right to insist on a full implementation and respect of this Agreement. "And in observing the Dayton Accords, one cannot ignore the fact that Bosnia-Herzegovina, as an internationally recognised state, consists of two entities with equal rights," the Serbian prime minister underlined. He also pointed to the fact that Serbia, in keeping with the Dayton Agreement, had established special parallel ties with Republika Srpska, and that over the past period, it had invested a lot in RS.

PODGORICA, Nov 20 (Tanjug) - Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic and Serbian Defence Minister Dragan Sutanovac on Tuesday voiced their satisfaction with the conclusion of an agreement on cooperation between the Montenegrin and Serbian Defence Ministries, which would improve cooperation between the two countries' armies. Vujanovic voiced his belief that cooperation in all fields of external security would be realised and that both Montenegro and Serbia would be dedicated to this joint interest, his office said in a statement. The statement said that Sutanovac had reiterated the Serbian Army's interest in ensuring the closeness and cooperation between the two countries' armies through military education, special-purpose industry and all other fields.

PODGORICA, Nov 20 (Tanjug) - Serbian Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac said in Podgorica on Tuesday that NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and NATO Europe South Wing Commander General Harry Urlich had given him guarantees that there would no escalation of violence in Kosovo and Metohija province, as is being announced by Kosovo Albanian officials. "They assured me that the KFOR forces are in control of the situation," Sutanovac told reporters. He believes what he has been told by NATO senior ofifcials, Sutranovac said, that these forces are sufficient to prevent possible conflicts. The Serbian minister therefore believes that there will be no escalation of violence in the event of the failure of the negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina on the status of this southern province. Serbia is firmly resolved to prevent any attempts at destablization in southern Serbia, as that would affect the stability of the entire region, he said. "Serbia will not permit the destabilization of southern Serbia and it is ready to protect that part of the country, Sutanovac said. The minister signed an agreement on cooperation between the defense ministries of Serbia and Montenegro in Podgorica with his counterpart Boro Vucinic.

BELGRADE, Nov 20 (Tanjug) - Serbian film director Goran Paskaljevic has been decorated with the highest award presented by France to artists of world renown, the Serbian Culture Ministry announced on Tuesday. Paskaljevic was awarded the Order of Arts and Literature, Medal of the Officer, by the French Minister of Culture for the great quality of his artistic works, said the letter sent by the French Ministry of Culture. Paskaljevic expressed the wish that he should be presented with this high award at the opening of the International Film Festival in Belgrade on Feb 22, 2008, instead of at the French government headquarters in Paris, as originally planned, the Serbian Ministry said.

BELGRADE, Nov 20 (Beta) - The U.S. embassy in Belgrade on Nov. 20 denied claims by Cedomir Jovanovic, president of the Liberal Democratic Party, that it had been approached about removing Delta director Miroslav Miskovic from a "visa blacklist." The U.S. embassy has no knowledge of such a proposal, no meeting with any of the mentioned sides was held, nor would such a proposal be taken into consideration, the press release from the embassy said.The embassy added that solely U.S. immigration law defined matters in issuing or refusing visas, while decisions on individual cases could and would not be the object of bartering.The U.S. embassy said it could not comment on individual visa requests, as this would be against federal law.In a discussion in the Serbian parliament, Liberal Democratic Party whip Cedomir Jovanovic asked the Serbian government to answer if it was true that Miskovic, in order to get a visa and be removed from the U.S. blacklist, had offered his cooperation to the embassy in the process of negotiations on the future status of Kosovo. Jovanovic added that Belgrade journalist Bratislav Grubacic had been the mediator in the affair, in May 2007.In a telephone statement to Television B92, Grubacic denied the claims, saying he could not recall the last time he visited the U.S. embassy, as he was bedridden and at home. He further said he had spoken with Miskovic several times, but that the topic had not been the "visa blacklist."