Head of Belgrade's negotiating team Borislav Stefanovic and his counterpart in the Pristina delegation Edita Tahiri expressed expectation on Tuesday that certain issues discussed during previous meetings would be closed in the fourth round of talks.

We will try to find solutions for some of the issues we previously opened, and we are optimistic regarding this matter, Stefanovic said ahead of the beginning of the dialogue in the European Council, under the leadership by high EU diplomat Robert Cooper. Stefanovic also noted that Serbia's propositions are well-prepared and are in keeping with the European practice.

It is realistic for us to reach an agreement on the issues of cadastre books, birth registries and freedom of movement, he said and added that these are topics that seem to be closest to their resolution, but that Pristina imposed one more obstacle for each of these topics. However, Stefanovic expressed hope that a compromise solution would be found.

Edita Tahiri expects considerable progress to be made in several important fields such as freedom of movement, freedom of trade and energy.

She expressed expectation that a frame-agreement on the three subjects would be reached within the two days of the fourth round of talks, while negotiations would continue regarding other matters which were opened in the past and that some new fields, such as the missing persons' issue, cultural heritage and education, would soon be opened.

Stefanovic said that he feels encouraged by the support of the EU regarding the continuation of the dialogue at the same pace or further intensification, both by more frequent meetings in Brussels and in other places, since by sending its delegation to Pristina, Belgrade has already shown that this is also a possibility.

When asked whether the Serbian team insists on the status issue, Stefanovic said that Belgrade is not the one trying to impose this matter within each and every given subject in the dialogue.

We consider the status issue solved and rooted in our Constitution, but the real state of things is quite different, since Pristina insists on this point and brings up the status issue in every topic of talks, Stefanovic said.

If everything could be turned into a political issue, if they see the necessity to mention their so-called independence in everything, then you will understand that this is a problematic and complex process, Stefanovic said and added that the Serbian side does not insist on this and simply wants to find tangible answers.

The fourth round of Belgrade-Pristina talks, which started early in May, should end on Wednesday afternoon.