By KUNA
Sarajevo : The European Union’s Special Representative to Kosovo Peter Feith assumed his duties and began with a meeting with President Fatmir Sejdiu and with Prime Minister Hashim Thaci.
The representative discussed political and security state of affairs and means to bolster stability and counter attempts to disturb the peace in the fledgling country.
An EU statement, quoted by Radio Pristina Thursday, said Feith is to meet representatives of the Serb minority and leaders of political parties in Kosovo. He is to encourage cooperation with the EU mission in Kosovo and coordinate implementation of the security plan drawn by the EU to administer affairs in the world’s youngest country.
The statement said members of the EU mission, some 2,000 people, are to arrive gradually to assume their duties in Kosovo, which involve follow up on security and policing affairs, judiciary affairs, and finances and customs affairs.
They are to cooperate with and train local staff so that they may run the vital affairs of the state.
Meanwhile, a statement by the UN-Mandated NATO-led KFOR indicated protests and rallies by the Serb minority in northern regions have subsided and added the authorities were strongly advised to make sure the protests remain peaceful.
It also said there is communication between KFOR and Serbian leadership on maintaining order in border areas and precautions against any activity by extremist Serb groups.
The statement meanwhile stressed there must be freedom of movement between Kosovo and Serbia, with constant monitoring, inspection, and upholding of law on both sides.
On a related note, the media in Serbia is still unleashing its venom against the unilateral declaration of independence and against the ethnic Albanians, and sometimes hinted against some states which recognized the new state.
In Belgrade, the media today said Serbia’s President Boris Tadic is to miss a mass rally in the afternoon, in a clear indication of aggravation in the tension with his Premier, Vojislav Kostunica, who pushes towards escalation with the west. Tadic meanwhile called for halt of demonstrations to give the authorities the chance to respond through diplomatic tracks.