The International Steering Group for Kosovo on Feb. 8 backed a plan to integrate northern Kosovo into Pristina institutions, put forward by the International Civil Office, a press release from that office said.

The International Steering Group for Kosmet has commenced a meeting in Vienna, where they will discuss the mandate of Head of the International Civil Office Peter Feith.

Political directors of foreign ministers of 25 member-countries of the International Steering Group will have talks behind closed doors, regarding the extension of Feith’s mandate, based on the plan of Martti Ahtisaari, it has been communicated.

The International Steering Group, formed in 2008 and composed of countries that have recognized Kosovo, stated that the integration of all communities into Kosovo society, particularly the entire community of Kosovo Serbs, would be a key challenge to secure a sustainable future and strengthen the democracy of Kosovo.

It is expected that his responsibilities that were increased in the domains from Ahtisaari’s plan, might be decreased, in order to gradually pass the jurisdiction envisaged by that document to the Pristina authorities.

The International Steering Group appointed Dutch diplomat Feith as their representative in the southern Serbian province on February 28, 2008.

Dailies in Pristina reported that Prime Minister Hashim Thaci and chief of the International Civilian Office in Kosovo Pieter Feith, will appear before the International Steering Group in Vienna. Thaci will speak about the progress in Kosovo as well as challenges that await it during this year, reports Express.

Part of his appearance will be about the commitment of the Kosovo institutions for deeper democratic reforms so that the 2010 Progress Report is more positive opens perspective for the visa liberalization as well as for the opening of the dialogue for Stabilization–Association.

ICO chief Feith that will also participate at this meeting said a few days ago that Kosovo’s most important priorities are achievement of a better progress report, increased EU presence in the north as well as doubling of the efforts to strengthen the rule of law.

Koha Ditore reports that member states of the International Steering Group will meet in Vienna, to give political support to the International Civilian Office and Kosovo Government strategy for return of law and order in the north.

Directors for Balkans from the states that have recognized Kosovo will discuss in detail the strategy for the north and except for the political support, financial support is expected as well.

A European official accredited in Pristina told this daily that the character of the board will not allow this mechanism to make any statements on the financial support but that this issue will be addressed by the working groups.

“ISG, as a strategic forum, cannot deal with budget implications, budget lines or some other specific initiative. The working groups deal with this. Therefore no announcement for financial support should be expected after this meeting, however it is natural that political support would enable further work,” said the international official.

Finally, at its session in Vienna, the International Steering Group urged all sides, including Serbia, to play a constructive role in this important process so as to ensure better living conditions in northern Kosovo.

Pieter Feith, who heads the International Steering Group, recently confirmed the existence of a plan to integrate northern Kosovo, whose population has a large Serbian majority, into institutions of the government of Kosovo. Serbian officials rejected the plan and described it as dangerous for regional stability.

Expanded regional cooperation is in the best interest of the Western Balkans and its European perspective. In that aim, the International Steering Group invites Serbia, Kosovo and neighboring countries to become involved in a pragmatic dialogue on issues of common interest, including constructive participation in regional forums, the press release read.

The group said Kosovo should urgently expedite further progress in fighting corruption, organized crime, improving administrative capacity and establishing the rule of law, including northern Kosovo.
08 February 2010.

At a meeting of the International Steering Group for Kosovo, Premier Hashim Thaci said the process of Serb integration in political life has been marked by considerable progress in the southern part of Kosovo, which, in his words, has created the ideal dynamics for establishing law and order in northern Kosovo as well.

Thaci appealed to the countries that have recognized Kosovo to assist Pristina in establishing democracy and a legal state also in northern Kosovo. This, according to him, is necessary so that Serbs in Kosovo can elect their leaderships without fear and pressure from Belgrade.

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic said on Feb. 8 that Serbia did not recognize the International Steering Group and considered it illegal and its conclusions meaningless.