Developments soon in Kosovo
On the issue of FYROM, is there any movement after the American decision to recognize it? The UN secretary-general’s special representative, Matthew Nimetz, has reported good engagement by both sides in his effort. We have been very clear that – notwithstanding our actions – we totally support the UN process, the process that Matthew Nimetz leads, and we would like to see an agreed formulation on this question and when one emerges we will apply it ourselves. People believe that our position in this has been helpful to the process. You mentioned Kosovo. We expect some kind of progress this year. Will you be involved in that at all? Well, yes. Kosovo is a challenge I think for the EU and NATO. We are involved there together. It is a key issue I think for peace and security in the Balkans, which is something that we share, and as I mentioned previously will be a priority of mine. NATO and the EU and US separately have signed on to the concept that we would make a review this summer of how Kosovo is doing on the standards and then would be prepared – provided the standards were met – for refugee returns, integration and so forth, we would be prepared to look at the final status, which is a very important, delicate question and I think that it will unfold in that way in the course of the spring and summer. We will be in close touch with the Greek government on these questions. I know that Ambassador (on Balkan affairs Alexandros) Mallias was in Washington last week and had some preliminary exchanges with us on this subject.
