Serbs, ethnic Albanians discuss Kosovo's future in Vienna

Serb and ethnic Albanian negotiators on Tuesday entered their second day of U.N.-mediated talks to determine Kosovo's future by presenting their plans for the disputed province's internal security and justice arrangements.

Photo: Serbs, ethnic Albanians discuss Kosovo's future in Vienna

The talks at Vienna's Daun-Kinsky Palace are a concerted attempt by major Western powers to resolve one of the toughest disputes left from the 1990s ethnic conflicts of the Balkans: whether Kosovo should gain full independence or remain part of Serbia-Montenegro.

Albert Rohan, the U.N.'s deputy talks envoy, said Monday's session had been "constructive and fruitful."

Both sides presented their positions for several hours before of U.N. mediators, but they found little common ground on the most contentious issues of how much power Serbs and other minorities should hold locally in the areas of education, health care and culture.

Western officials insist that any final deal must be sustainable, making Kosovo functional and ensuring stability.

At Monday's talks, representatives of Kosovo's ethnic Albanians sat opposite the representatives of Serbia's government and Kosovo's Serb minority. U.N. mediators sat between them, in the frescoe-adorned hall in on of Vienna's most beautiful Baroque buildings, reports the AP.

I.L.