With
Serbia determined to reject the UN plan for Kosovo, the European Union has
conceded it may postpone planned consultations on the plan until a new
government is formed in Belgrade.
An EU
delegation to Belgrade, led by foreign policy chief Javier Solana, enlargement
commissioner Olli Rehn and German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and
separately Britain’s Europe minister Geoff Hoon, gave ground on February 7
after meeting Serbia’s president Boris Tadic, Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica
and Foreign Minister Vuk Draskovic.
After
urging them to form a democratic government and take part in planned
consultations over the Kosovo’s final status, they indicated they might push
back the timetable.
At issue is whether the high representative will officially become an envoy of the European Union, a hat the two most recent office-holders have worn anyway. Also in question is whether the high representative will keep the so-called Bonn Powers, which enable him or her to fire officials and impose legislation.