UNMIK/PR/1040
Tuesday, 30 September 2003

SRSG Harri Holkeri announces start of dialogue.

The SRSG Harri Holkeri announced today that direct dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade on technical matters of mutual interest will start on 14 October in Vienna.

Mr. Holkeri, who returned from Belgrade this afternoon after meetings with Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Zivkovic, Deputy Prime Minister Nebjosa Covic and Contact Group ambassadors, briefed the media on the outcome of his visit.

"My sincere hope is that Kosovar leaders will hear my call and participate in this effort to fulfill one of the benchmarks of which dialogue is an essential part," he added.

The SRSG highlighted the need for representation at the highest level in the inaugural meeting.

"But the real work will start when the working groups begin their tasks, and we are intensively working on the necessary preparations to ensure that it takes place soon after the talks begin in Vienna," said Mr. Holkeri.

The SRSG expressed the hope that these working groups would be launched shortly after the inauguration of the talks and explained that results obtained by each working group should be implemented by both sides as soon as possible.

"These negotiations constitute tools to produce specific results to help improve the living conditions of people in Kosovo. I think that it is the responsibility of every politician to serve the electorate, especially in the period preceding the elections both in Belgrade and in Pristina".

Asked whether Pristina was ready for the dialogue, the SRSG answered: "I think that both sides made their commitment on 21 June, when both announced their readiness.

"Once it has been promised it is just a technicality how we can move forward. I fully understand the feelings on both sides, but they are both committed. It is now my responsibility to organize the actual meeting and launch the work" said the SRSG.