Serbian Government Office for Kosovo

Kosovo is likely to be a hot issue at the upcoming Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church, which has taken a lead position in attacking talk of Kosovo's partition, or of recognising its independence, Church experts say.

The head of the Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija spoke after Kosovo police intervened in the Serb village of Staro Gracko - known for the July 1999 massacre of Serb farmers - and in the process, injured two Serb children with pepper spray.

Arifi told Pristina-based Zeri newspaper that it was "clear" that the ZSO "needs to be in line with the Constitutional Courts ruling" - and that to this end "a new draft agreement should be put together."

He also "denied any possibility of discussions for an exchange of the territories" - as "Kosovo has nothing to share or exchange with anyone."

Serbs are marking June 28 - the Orthodox Christian feast of Vidovdan (St. Vitus) - and historically a day of special significance for the nation and the state.

Marko Djuric has offered his condolences to Russian Ambassador Aleksandar Chepurin over the death of Russia's UN envoy Vitaly Churkin.

According to a statement, the head of the Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and the top Russian diplomat in Serbia met in Belgrade on Tuesday.

Belgrade will, along with representatives of Serbs, start forming the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO) in Kosovo after February 15.

Director of the Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Djuric said this on Wednesday.

The Serbian government will meet on Thursday and declare itself regarding "the scandalous demands" presented by the representative of Pristina, Beta reported.

There was no visible progress or official statements late on Wednesday following three days of this week's Belgrade-Pristina talks on telecommunications.

Serbian Government Office for Kosovo head Marko Djuric says he hopes a new court would help rid the Kosovo public scene of people responsible for crimes.

The concept of the Sunny Valley returnee settlement in Kosovo has been presented a UN special rapporteur.