The leader of Kosovo has asked the European Union to back the idea of setting a deadline for the independence of the breakaway province of Serbia. Serbia has rejected the new U.S.-backed UN draft resolution allowing additional 120 days for negotiations be
Serbia says allowing additional days for negotiations would only lead to the province's independence. The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Agim Ceku, said he supports proposals put forward by the European Union. “Kosovo is in Europe. Kosovo is a European problem today and it is going to remain this tomorrow if we do not find a way to solve it now. We are presenting a big challenge for Europe but we are a big opportunity for it as well. This is a unique opportunity to find a European solution,” Agim Ceku said. Moscow thinks the plan put forward by Martti Ahtisaari, granting Kosovo limited independence, is biased. But United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, says it has all the necessary elements. However, according to some Russian experts, the UN chief is failing to look at all the possible solutions to the issue of the province's future. The Head of the Balkan Crisis Research Center, Elena Guskova, says the Martti Ahtisaari plan is biased. “Ban Ki Moon has taken a one-sided position; he continues the line which has become Marti Ahtisaari’s plan. The document is totally one-sided. Belgrade’s position has not been taken into account, either at the beginning of the negotiation process, or when the decision was being worked out,” Elena Guskova commented.