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Leaders to discuss Kosovo future Leaders discuss UN's Kosovo plan
(about 1 hour later)
A final round of talks between Serbian and ethnic Albanian leaders over Kosovo's future is set to begin. A final round of talks between Serbian and ethnic Albanian leaders over Kosovo's future has begun in Vienna.
The talks chaired by the United Nations special envoy for Kosovo, Martti Ahtisaari, will take place in Vienna. The talks are being chaired by the United Nations special envoy for Kosovo, Martti Ahtisaari.
The focus of these discussions will be a set of UN proposals which would give Kosovo all the trappings of an independent state. The focus is a set of UN proposals which would give Kosovo all the trappings of an independent state.
Serbia opposes independence for Kosovo which has been under UN administration since fighting ended in 1999. Albanians broadly accept the plan. Serbia opposes independence for Kosovo, which has been under UN administration since fighting ended in 1999.
No-one is expecting any major breakthrough during these talks but Mr Ahtisaari said he wanted to give both sides the opportunity to discuss the issues one more time. No-one is expecting any major breakthrough during these talks, but Mr Ahtisaari said he wanted to give both sides the opportunity to discuss the issues one more time.
New rightsNew rights
At the centre of the negotiations will be Mr Ahtisaari's own proposals for the future of the province which he unveiled earlier this month. Mr Ahtisaari unveiled his proposals for Kosovo earlier this month.
They would give Kosovo its own constitution, flag and national anthem and the right to apply for membership of international organisations.They would give Kosovo its own constitution, flag and national anthem and the right to apply for membership of international organisations.
Serbia claims the plan paves the way for an independent Kosovo, something desired by its majority Albanian population but strongly opposed by Serbia.Serbia claims the plan paves the way for an independent Kosovo, something desired by its majority Albanian population but strongly opposed by Serbia.
A spokesman for Mr Ahtisaari acknowledged the positions of both sides regarding the issue of status were completely opposite.A spokesman for Mr Ahtisaari acknowledged the positions of both sides regarding the issue of status were completely opposite.
Mr Ahtisaari has said he will present his final set of proposals to the UN Security Council in the second half of March whether or not an agreement is reached. Mr Ahtisaari has said he will present his final set of proposals to the UN Security Council in the second half of March, whether or not an agreement is reached.
It will then be left to the Security Council to approve or reject the plan.It will then be left to the Security Council to approve or reject the plan.