Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva to visit the Western Balkans

Press release 34/2008
1 February, 2008

OSCE-Chairman-in-Office and Finnish Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva will visit Belgrade in Serbia and Pristina in Kosovo on 5-6 February.

On Tuesday 5 February, Kanerva will be hosted in Belgrade by Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić. Kanerva will also meet other political leaders of Serbia. During the meetings, they will discuss OSCE questions, the EU-Serbia relations, and bilateral affairs between Finland and Serbia.

In Pristina, Kosovo, Kanerva will meet President Fatmir Sejdiu and Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi on Wednesday 6 February. The topics of discussion will include OSCE affairs and questions related to the status process of Kosovo. During the visit to Pristina, Minister Kanerva will also get acquainted with the Finnish crisis management forces in Kosovo.

Additional information: Press Attaché to the Minister Juha Kirstilä, tel. +358 40 552 8200, Advisor to the Minister Mikko Hautala, tel. +358 40 834 6758, and First Secretary Tony Paso, tel. +359 40 568 8394