With Croatia taking a temporary seat at the UN Security Council at the start of 2008, there is hope that the Balkan state, which has positive relations with all parties involved, can play a productive role as mediator if the issue carries on into next year.

Below is an article published by B92:

Croatia's ambassador to Serbia says a negotiated solution for Kosovo is the best path to stability in the region.

It is not in Croatia’s interests for a crisis to be sparked in the region if no agreement is reached over Kosovo, says Tonči Staničić, adding that Croatia’s position is that no compromise can be reached without the engagement of both sides.

“Compromise really is the best way to avoid problems. The question is to what extent will a compromise be reached, and to what extent will the international community impose a solution. Croatia will certainly act constructively and objectively in the UN Security Council, as it is not in her interests to have a crisis, as a result of failure to reach a compromise,“ Staničić told daily Večernje Novosti.

Asked how Croatia would vote if the proposal for Kosovo was not acceptable to one of the sides, the ambassador said that, “such a situation whereby a solution comes before the Security Council that is not acceptable to one side, and by association the countries that support her, never comes about, unless there is an intention to provoke one of the great powers, something that very rarely occurs.“

“Croatia is in the unusual position of being a acceptable partner to both Belgrade and Priština, and it has a good relationship with Kosovo’s temporary institutions, UNMIK, as well as with Kosovo Serb representatives and the Serbian government,“ he said.

Staničić said that Croatia, who assumes temporary membership of the Security Council on January 1 [2008], could influence the region positively, and could act as a voice for smaller countries.