The next round of Troika-facilitated direct talks between the delegations of Belgrade and Pristina on the status of Kosovo will be held in the Justus Lipsius building of the Council of the European Union on Tuesday, 20 November 2007.

The meeting will provide an opportunity for the two sides to continue discussions on the future status of Kosovo. Negotiations will be held on the basis of the principal conclusions, the so called 14 points, and any other proposals the parties might wish to discuss. The direct talks will start at 15.15, following separate meetings between the Troika and the individual delegations the same morning.

Background:

In the light of outstanding differences on the United Nations Security Council over Kosovo and the subsequent agreement in the Contact Group to drive the process forward it was decided to engage in further negotiations between Pristina and Belgrade. This effort, launched by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on 1 August 2007, is led by a Troika representing the European Union, Russia and the United States. The representatives are Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger (EU), Ambassador Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko (Russia) and Ambassador Frank Wisner (US). The Contact Group will report to the UN Secretary General by 10 December 2007.

• +/- 15:10 Photo opportunity before the start of the joint session with both parties at Justus Lipsius building of the Council of the European Union.
  +/- 18:30 Following the meeting a Troika press statement will be available on the EU Council website.

Point of contact:

• Jüri Laas, press officer: +32 2 281 5523 (office), +32 486 798 055 (mobile).
• E-mail: juri.laas@consilium.europa.eu