FACTBOX-U.N. envoy's quotes on Kosovo plan
Source: Reuters
Feb 2 (Reuters) - United Nations special envoy Martti Ahtisaari on Friday presented Serbia with a plan that sets its breakaway Kosovo province on the path to independence. He then flew to Pristina to deliver the plan to the leaders of the province's ethnic Albanian majority population. Below are quotes from Ahtisaari's news conference in Belgrade: ON THE DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL: "The settlement provides for an international representative to supervise the implementation of the settlement. And (NATO-led international peacekeeping force) KFOR will continue to provide a safe and secure environment by supporting Kosovo institutions as long as necessary." "Everyone in Kosovo agrees that the dire economic situation needs most urgent attention. The settlement outlines provisions designed to promote sustainable economic development including Kosovo's ability to apply for membership in international financial institutions." "The settlement lays out specific provisions for the protection of Kosovo non-Albanian communities, including their current representation in the Kosovo assembly, the government, the judiciary". "More than 40 key religious and cultural sites will have protective zones to ensure that the Serbian Orthodox church will remain a living religious community."On the status issue itself I think the positions of the parties are extremely fixed". "The final process starts when the plan enters the Security Council". ON FURTHER TALKS: "In the coming weeks we intend to invite the parties in further consultations. I am prepared to consider constructive amendments and I am willing to integrate compromise solutions the parties might reach." "We are still giving one more chance for parties if they are prepared to come and further engage themselves, I and my colleagues are available to them. I intend to use the month of February for that purpose.""This consultation phase is important, I want to give both parties a chance once again to make points. I will then finalise my settlement proposal for submission to the Security Council. At that stage I will also elaborate on the status issue."
| AlertNet news is provided by |  |
