April 22, 2008 - 14:39 AMT
Serbian leadership ready for dialogue with Kosovo Albanians
Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci and Serbian President Boris Tadic arrived in New York for Monday's closed door meeting of the UN Security Council.

Thaci told reporters he was satisfied with the session and that was important that as many countries as possible from the European Union, UN and NATO recognize his country's independence.

"The situation in Kosovo is changing for the better. We are building a multi-ethnic society and invite all Serbs to join the process. We are aspired for the EU, NATO and other international organizations. Pristina reaches out a friendly hand to Belgrade," he said when addressing the session, as an individual.

Reiterating readiness for dialogue with Kosovo Albanians, Serbia's President Tadic, however, expressed concern over the quiet reaction from the UN after the unilateral declaration.

He also asked the UN to stop the transfer of UNMIK's powers to Pristina institutions and urged the resumption of negotiations between Pristina and Belgrade in order to find a new, sustainable and mutually acceptable solution "to remedy the situation created by the unilateral decision of interim Kosovo institutions."

Tadic said Kosovo Serbs did not trust authorities in Pristina, nor would they cooperate with a mission of European Union police and justice officials (EULEX) that plans to formally take over from the United Nations in June, ITAR-TASS reports.