Talks on the long-term future of the UN-administered Serb province of Kosovo have ended in Vienna without achieving a breakthrough.
The first direct talks between Serbian and Kosovo Albanian officials did not tackle the sensitive issue of Kosovo's final status.
The province's majority ethnic Albanian population of almost two million is demanding independence from Serbia but Belgrade and the province's tiny Serb minority adamantly oppose this.
Negotiations focused on technical issues such as reforming Kosovo's local government to ensure greater autonomy for minority Serb and other non-Albanian communities, who fear they will be marginalized under a central government.
Although admitting the 'usefulness' of direct talks, both sides have remained firm in their opposing stances on Kosovo's future.
