Vienna meeting backs plan for north

The International Steering Group (ISG) for Kosovo backed a plan to integrate northern Kosovo into Pristina institutions, Beta reports. The plan has been put forward by the International Civil Office (ICO), a press release from that office said. Vienna meeting backs plan for north At a session in Vienna, the International Steering Group urged all sides, including Serbia, to play a constructive role in this important process so as to ensure better living conditions in northern Kosovo. Pieter Feith, who heads the International Steering Group, recently confirmed the existence of a plan to integrate northern Kosovo, whose population has a large Serbian majority, into institutions of the government of Kosovo. Serbian officials rejected the plan and described it as dangerous for regional stability. The International Steering Group, formed in 2008 and composed of countries that have recognized Kosovo, stated that the integration of all communities into Kosovo society, particularly the entire community of Kosovo Serbs, would be a key challenge to secure a sustainable future and strengthen the democracy of Kosovo. Expanded regional cooperation is in the best interest of the Western Balkans and its European perspective. In that aim, the International Steering Group invites Serbia, Kosovo and neighboring countries to become involved in a pragmatic dialogue on issues of common interest, including constructive participation in regional forums, the press release read. The group said Kosovo should urgently expedite further progress in fighting corruption, organized crime, improving administrative capacity and establishing the rule of law, including northern Kosovo. At a meeting of the International Steering Group for Kosovo, Pristina Premier Hashim Thaci said the process of Serb integration in political life has been marked by considerable progress in the southern part of Kosovo, which, in his words, has created the ideal dynamics for establishing law and order in northern Kosovo as well. Thaci appealed to the countries that have recognized Kosovo to assist Pristina in establishing democracy and a legal state also in northern Kosovo. This, according to him, is necessary so that Serbs in Kosovo can elect their leaderships "without fear and pressure" from Belgrade. Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic said on Monday that Serbia did not recognize the International Steering Group and considered it illegal, and its conclusions meaningless.

Vienna meeting backs plan for north

At a session in Vienna, the International Steering Group urged all sides, including Serbia, to play a constructive role in this important process so as to ensure better living conditions in northern Kosovo.

Pieter Feith, who heads the International Steering Group, recently confirmed the existence of a plan to integrate northern Kosovo, whose population has a large Serbian majority, into institutions of the government of Kosovo. Serbian officials rejected the plan and described it as dangerous for regional stability.

The International Steering Group, formed in 2008 and composed of countries that have recognized Kosovo, stated that the integration of all communities into Kosovo society, particularly the entire community of Kosovo Serbs, would be a key challenge to secure a sustainable future and strengthen the democracy of Kosovo.

Expanded regional cooperation is in the best interest of the Western Balkans and its European perspective. In that aim, the International Steering Group invites Serbia, Kosovo and neighboring countries to become involved in a pragmatic dialogue on issues of common interest, including constructive participation in regional forums, the press release read.

The group said Kosovo should urgently expedite further progress in fighting corruption, organized crime, improving administrative capacity and establishing the rule of law, including northern Kosovo.

At a meeting of the International Steering Group for Kosovo, Priština Premier Hashim Thaci said the process of Serb integration in political life has been marked by considerable progress in the southern part of Kosovo, which, in his words, has created the ideal dynamics for establishing law and order in northern Kosovo as well.

Thaci appealed to the countries that have recognized Kosovo to assist Priština in establishing democracy and a legal state also in northern Kosovo. This, according to him, is necessary so that Serbs in Kosovo can elect their leaderships "without fear and pressure" from Belgrade.

Deputy Prime Minister Božidar Đelić said on Monday that Serbia did not recognize the International Steering Group and considered it illegal, and its conclusions meaningless.