Austrian Vice Chancellor and FM Michael Spindelegger is convinced the solution to northern Kosovo problems can only be found if all sides show good will. However, he assessed that the solution would probably have to be sought at a special forum.

"The solution will probably have to be sought at a different forum since the current dialogue between Belgrade and Priština does not have the mandate to consider the issue," the Austrian foreign minister told daily Blic ahead of his visit to Belgrade on Thursday.

Asked if Austria would support status talks aimed at finding a sustainable solution which is acceptable to the Serbs in Kosovo, he said Austria always supported talks as a way of reaching solutions.

"It would be ideal to have constructive dialogue between Priština, Belgrade and especially the Serbs in northern Kosovo. But that requires the will of all three sides to engage in dialogue and look for practical solutions to all open issues," he stressed.

Spindelegger said he thought it would take a lot of effort to develop the Ahtisaari plan, which remained the best foundation for compromise. He added that voices speaking more openly about the plan had been heard from Belgrade.

"In any case, Serbia must be aware that the EU will not turn a blind eye to the relations between Kosovo and Serbia. It is in the interest of both sides that the road blocks be removed as soon as possible. Not so much because of candidate status, but because they will jeopardize the perspective of peaceful development for the Serbs in northern Kosovo," he explained.

Spindelegger said Austria was convinced Serbia's future was in the EU.

"Serbia has already accomplished a lot on its path to the EU and it would be a mistake for the Serbian government to turn its back on Europe. We are not asking our Serbian friends for the impossible, but we want to see a convincing dialogue with Kosovo and fast implementation of the agreements reached to date," he said, adding the EU did not want to integrate an unresolved territorial problem.

Spindelegger said Belgrade could count on active support from Austria and expressed belief the path to candidate status could be cleared in time for the European Council session in December