The US and EU are pushing forward an initiative to pass a new Security Council resolution for Kosovo which would supersede the existing one, 1244. Dušan Janjić, coordinator of the Belgrade-based Forum for Ethnic Relations, said he had first-hand information from international sources that the new document is soon expected to be put up for discussion at the Security Council. “I believe the new resolution will be formally introduced before the UN General Assembly holds its sessions in September. This resolution will, among other things, enable the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue take place directly without any facilitators,” said Janjić. He added that he expects Russia to oppose the new resolution and insist on upholding 1244. However, if Serbia agrees to a new Security Council resolution, this would make it easier for five EU countries that have not recognised independence of Kosovo to vote in favour of its UN membership. He also said that the issue of Kosovo’s UN membership will be clarified a great deal following the visit of the US Vice President Joe Biden to Pristina and Belgrade later in the month.