PM ADVOCATES PRISTINA'S DIALOGUE WITH NEIGHBOURS ON KOSOVO'S STATUS

PRISTINA, Sept 11 (Hina) - Kosovo Premier Bajram Rexhepi believes that the new authorities in Kosovo will need consult officials in Belgrade in bids to determine a final status of Kosovo. #L# Expressing his confidence in the establishment of the direct dialogue with the Serbian authorities in the near future, Premier Rexhepi was quoted by the Belgrade-based new agency 'Beta' as saying that Pristina will have to discuss the issue with leaderships of the countries in the region as well. "This is envisaged by the UN Security Council's 1244 Resolution. In case of Kosovo gaining its independence, standpoints of nearby countries must be taken into consideration," Rexhepi said. He said the relations with Serbia should be established for the joint interests, but admitted that it was still premature to strike up ties. He added that his cabinet together with the UN mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) was working on the return of Serb refugees, as the Kosovo government could not organise the return on its own. "The return of Serbs to Kosovo has started, but you know how such process is proceeding in Bosnia and Croatia. It takes years, but we shall advocate Serbs' integration in the Kosovo society," he said. (hina) ms