During a meeting between Serbian President Boris Tadic and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier the high-level EU delegation pressed Belgrade to take part "positively" in UN talks on the future of its breakaway province of Kosovo and to speedily form a new government.

AFP reports that the EU troika said they wanted to encourage authorities to engage in the final phase of efforts to grant Kosovo a new status, almost eight years since its inter-ethnic war. "It's important that they (the Serbs) respond constructively, positively and on time to the proposal," Solana said. In his part, Steinmeier noticed, "The European Union hopes for decisiveness on the difficult issue of Kosovo. It is now important that this agreement will create stability in the Balkans."

Belgrade and most Serbs see Kosovo as the cradle of their nation's history, culture and Orthodox Christian religion. "We need a minimal delay in order to form the parliament and take other necessary measures," Serbian premier Vojislav Kostunica said, who renewed his strong opposition to Kosovo's independence. In his part President Tadic said he told the European leaders that Kosovo's independence was "unacceptable" but pledged to continue the talks "fully convinced that it is possible to change Ahtisaari's plan."