Expressing regret that Belgrade and Pristina had failed to reach an agreement during year-long negotiations, Douste-Blazy said that Ahtisaari's plan was well-balanced and that it took into account both the interests of the majority ethnic Albanian population and the interests of the minorities living in the province.
The French minister said he had told Kosovo Albanian leaders to ensure the implementation of Ahtisaari's plan in the field and that he had asked Kosovo Serb leaders to be more realistic as the proposed plan guaranteed the rights of the minorities.
Douste-Blazy dismissed the possibility of renewed negotiations, stressing that despite his great efforts Ahtisaari had failed to get the two sides to reach an agreement and accept his solution and that it was now up to the Security Council to make the necessary decision on Kosovo.
Douste-Blazy said that everyone should try to preserve the unity within the UN Security Council and ensure that the Kosovo issue was resolved successfully.
During his visit, Douste-Blazy met Kosovo premier Agim Ceku, UN deputy civil administrator Steven Schook, KFOR commander Roland Kather, Kosovo Serb leader Oliver Ivanovic, and Kosovo president Fatmir Sejdiu.
Ivanovic told reporters after the meeting that any form of independence for Kosovo would be "dangerous for the Serbs" and that he had asked Douste-Blazy to support at the Security Council meeting on Kosovo the request for the continuation of negotiations and the appointment of a new international mediator.
Later in the day, the French minister travelled to Belgrade to meet for talks with senior Serbian government officials.