Secretary-General Encouraged by Determination of Leadership in Belgrade, Pristina

 

to Achieve Substantial Progress in Dialogue Facilitated by European Union

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is encouraged by the commitment and determination of the leaderships in Belgrade and Pristina to achieve substantial progress in the context of the dialogue facilitated by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton.

The Secretary-General calls upon both parties to remain committed to reaching agreements through mutually acceptable solutions.  He stresses the importance of a successful outcome to achieve a stable and prosperous European future for the Western Balkans.  He also urges both parties to conduct the remaining stage of the negotiations with the courage to compromise and the determination to bring about lasting stability in the region.

The Secretary-General looks forward to discussing the progress with the parties in New York in the margins of the Security Council discussion on Kosovo, following the important next round of talks in Brussels on 20 March.

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For information media • not an official record