Kosovo's acting president, Jakup Krasniqi, is calling for general elections to be held Feb. 13.

Jakup Krasniqi, caretaker president since Fatmir Sejdiu resigned in September, announced the date after meeting all the major political parties in the former Serbian province, which declared independence in 2008.

"Elections for the parliament of Kosovo will be held on February 13, 2011," Krasniqi told journalists. The elections had been scheduled for November 2011.

Krasniqi said the country needed stable institutions for a dialogue with Serbia which could be put off until a new government was formed. The European Union and the United States had hoped the talks would begin this year.

"My opinion is that the talks should be held in another atmosphere and not in this atmosphere that we have now," Krasniqi said.

PDK’s Xhavit Haliti said 13 February would be suitable as it would provide enough time for the government consolidation after elections.

In an interview for Epoka e Re, Krasniqi reaffirmed 13 February as the most optimal time for holding elections.

The extraordinary parliamentary elections in Kosmet will not have impact on the commencement of Belgrade-Pristina dialog, stated State Secretary in the Ministry for Kosmet Oliver Ivanovic.

According to him, the dialog will start with easier issues, while the serious ones will be left for later, i.e. after the constituting of the new Kosmet Assembly and Government, explained Ivanovic.