Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu said after meeting Ahtisaari in Pristina that the UN envoy's proposal would create an independent and sovereign state of Kosovo.
"The negotiating team is confident that the international process of resolving the status of Kosovo will end soon with the creation of an independent and sovereign state and with full guarantees for the communities living in Kosovo, primarily the Serb community," Sejdiu told reporters.
According to foreign news agencies, Ahtisaari's plan proposes internationally supervised self-rule for Kosovo. The proposal does not explicitly mention the word "independence", but makes it possible for the province to acquire the trappings of a sovereign state, such as the right to have its own constitution, its own flag, anthem and other symbols, and to apply for membership of international organisations.
Kosovo Premier Agim Qeku said that the proposed document opened a path to Kosovo's independence.
"The way Ahtisaari describes Kosovo, it is a sovereign and independent state. Nevertheless, this document does not represent all our expectations, all our demands, everything that belongs to us and what we have demanded. We will closely examine it in the coming weeks, in the course of February," Qeku said.
The plan provides for an international representative to supervise its implementation, while the NATO-led peace force will continue to provide a safe and secure environment as long as necessary, Ahtisaari said.
Ahtisaari said he hoped the negotiating teams of Kosovo and Serbia would meet for consultations in Vienna on February 13, and added that he was prepared to accept constructive modifications and compromise solutions reached by the parties. He said he would formally submit his proposal to the UN Security Council by the end of March.