A new round of dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, in which regional representation of Kosovo and integrated management of administrative crossings will be discussed, will begin Tuesday in Brussels after a two months break.

Both delegations confirmed their arrival, although contradictory statements are still arriving from Pristina and Belgrade relating to a final solution on Kosovo's representation in regional meetings. Pristina has been rejecting Belgrade's request to include a reference to UN Security Council Resolution 1244 in a footnote next to the name Kosovo.

In a recent statement, however, Kosovo Prime Minister Hasim Taci has accepted Resolution 1244, provided that the declaration of independence of Kosovo is also mentioned. On the other hand, the head of the Belgrade team Borislav Stefanovic rejected in a statement the inclusion of Kosovo's declaration in the contents of footnotes.

Diplomatic sources in Brussels have expressed optimism that the two teams will reach an agreement on regional representation, and that agreement in principle will be reached on the implementation of agreements on integrated management of the administrative crossings.

Resolving these issues are among the most important conditions that the European Council set out in December for Serbia to be granted EU candidate status.

The foreign ministers of EU member states will assess on February 27 whether Serbia has met the requirements for candidacy, and heads of state and government will finally confirm the assessment at their summit which is scheduled for March 1.