The EU Information and Cultural Centre in North Mitrovica organized yesterday a discussion on the status of rule of law in Kosovo, Kontakt plus radio reported.

The panelists included representatives of UNMIK, EU Office in Kosovo, non-governmental organization Activ and EULEX.

Ian Bancroft, the EULEX coordinator in northern Kosovo, said, among other things, that the north has a special context in Kosovo, and for this reason the mission has particular presence here and in some way a separate mandate.

Belgrade based daily Blic writes today that the announcement over the possible engagement of the US in in the negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina is merely intended for the Kosovo public.

The Serbian Foreign Ministry (MFA) said on Tuesday it remained committed to overcoming disagreements and enhancing bilateral relations with Ukraine.

This comes despite the insistence by Ukraine's ambassador to Belgrade on the stance that Russia is using Serbia to create chaos and provoke a war in the Balkans, Tanjug reported, citing a press release issued by the MFA.

Vesti portal reports that the Association of Journalists of Serbia (UNS) recently uncovered another murder of a journalist in Kosovo, commentator of the RTV Pristina, Kristo Gegaj, who was killed in Istok in 1999.

His name has not been recorded so far in any of the lists of killed journalists, and the number of killed and kidnapped journalists and media workers during and after the war in Kosovo has risen to 14, reports Vesti.

Russian and Chinese ambassadors spoke in favor of continuing the UNMIK mission in Kosovo, during Tuesday's UN Security Council session dedicated to its work.

At the same time, representatives of France, Great Britain and the United States called for it be abolished.

Russia's Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said Moscow disagrees with the "very optimistic assessment" presented during the meeting by the Kosovo ambassador to the United States.

Ivica Dacic says UNMIK’s presence in Kosovo and Metohija in an undiminished scope is of vital importance for stability and security in the province.

The following is the Serbian first deputy PM and foreign minister's full speech delivered at the United Nations Security Council session in New York on Tuesday dedicated to the work of UNMIK, as published by the Serbian government.

Serbian First Deputy PM and Foreign Minister, Ivica Dacic will represent Serbia at a UN Security Council session dedicated to Kosovo tomorrow, Serbian media reported.

The meeting at the UN headquarters in New York will consider the UN secretary-general's latest report on the work of the UN Mission (UNMIK) in Kosovo, covering the period between July 16 and October 15, 2017.

According to the Serbian Government, Dacic will speak about the report, "and present Serbia's assessment of the situation in Kosovo and Metohija and UNMIK's activity".

Kosovo’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Bajram Hasani, said to the members of the Kosovo Assembly’s committee on economic development that Kosovo should be represented as a country in the meetings of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) and no longer through UNMIK. “We will review the position on whether to pull out from CEFTA,” Hasani said.

Serbian Government Office for Kosovo Director, Marko Djuric met with the Head of UNMIK, Zahir Tanin today and spoke about current political and security situation in Kosovo and the forthcoming UN Security Council session on Kosovo, Serbian media reported.

On this occasion, Djuric expressed the stance of Serbia that UN Security Council should continue discussions on Kosovo every three months.

The international presence in Kosovo is important for the implementation of the agreements reached within the framework of the Brussels Dialogue, said Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic at a meeting with UNMIK Head Zahir Tanin, reports RTS.