Belgrade negotiator Borislav Stefanović has denied media reports that pressure is being exerted on Serbia to reach an agreement with Priština by mid-February, Serbian website B92 said on February 10 2012, quoting daily Politika.

Stefanović told the daily that "the pressure is on the other side, at least at this stage".

"I think that our side entered the process wisely and sober-mindedly while sticking to the (UN Security Council) Resolution 1244.

"The international community’s focus is on Priština. It is in our interest to find a solution as soon as possible and we have in that sense given several draft solutions. We have been active and constructive and that has strengthened our position ahead of a possible agreement on Priština’s regional representation," Stefanović was quoted as saying.

On February 9, the situation in northern Kosovo and the ongoing process of European Union-facilitated dialogue between Priština and Belgrade topped the agenda during talks between UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Serbia’s foreign minister Vuk Jeremić.

In the meeting, held a day after a Security Council debate on the work of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), Ban voiced satisfaction with the recent reduction of tensions and the progress made in restoring freedom of movement in northern Kosovo, his spokesperson said, quoted by the UN News Centre.

Ban commended the positive contribution of Belgrade to the lowering of tensions and encouraged its continued constructive engagement.

Ban asked Jeremić for Belgrade’s close co-operation with UNMIK and others to ensure that tensions would not escalate as a result of the upcoming referendum being organised by the Kosovo Serbs in the north.

On February 8, Edmond Mulet, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, told the Security Council that the resumption of dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo has led to the easing of tensions on the ground but he cautioned that other significant political challenges continue to emerge.

A dispute between Kosovo and Serbia over the control of two border crossings in northern Kosovo resulted in several violent clashes between local Serb residents and the Nato-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) last year.

"However, as a dialogue between Belgrade and Priština was resuming in Brussels following a three-month-hiatus, all sides renewed their efforts to stabilise the situation on the ground and focused their attention to achieve results through good faith engagements," Mulet said.

The emerging political challenges include a decision by leaders in northern Kosovo to proceed next week with a "referendum" on the acceptance by local Kosovo Serbs of the Kosovo institutions.

"This is another case where close cooperation between all stakeholders on the ground will be crucial in ensuring that potential tensions are kept under control and common messages are conveyed," Mulet said.

On the EU-facilitated dialogue, he reported that agreement on the integrated management of crossing points, while awaiting finalisation of the detailed implementation modalities, represented an important breakthrough and an encouraging signal of goodwill from both parties.

Mulet emphasised the need for cohesion of efforts of all international actors, including UNMIK, to ensure that the considerable resources expended there are being applied "as rationally and efficiently as the could be".

"In the course of 2012, it is critical that we do not miss the opportunity of jointly addressing fundamental issues of efficiency, as well as of common political purpose and vision," he said.

Serbian foreign minister Jeremić told the Council that "a comprehensive settlement" to the dispute between the two parties must include "ironclad, internationally-guaranteed assurances" that safeguard Serbia’s interests, including protecting Serbian enclaves in south Kosovo, preserving Serbian identity and religious heritage, and settling private commercial property claims.

"The only way to produce a viable, sustainable, and lasting solution to the problem is for the parties to negotiate with each other in good faith, on all outstanding issues," Jeremić said.

Enver Hoxhaj, Kosovo’s foreign minister, told the Security Council that Kosovo will continue to participate in dialogue with Serbia in good faith. "We will implement agreements reached and accept all solutions that are European solutions," he said.

"Dialogue is very important for both countries as independent States and partners on their European path and my Government supports the integration of the whole region into the European Union," Hoxhaj said.