Major powers have set a December 10 deadline for an agreement on the final status of Kosovo, which has been in legal limbo under U.N. administration since 1999, when NATO waged an air war to drive out Serbian forces and halt ethnic cleansing.
Serbia, backed by Russia with its U.N. veto power, rejects independence for Kosovo. But the territory's 2 million ethnic Albanians -- 90 percent of the population -- will settle for nothing less and have warned of violence if they are thwarted.
A joint New York Declaration issued after the meeting said: " The parties reiterated their commitment to engage seriously in these talks. The troika (of mediators) reminded the parties of the (U.N.) Secretary-General's statement of August 1 that the status quo is not sustainable."
European Union mediator Wolfgang Ischinger told reporters the two sides had agreed to hold more direct talks, with the next meeting set for Brussels on October 14.
" Both sides ... indicated to us through this meeting and through their conduct and through the conclusion that they wish this process to continue ... . This is a good sign," he said.
But there appeared to be no meeting of minds on substance.
Russian mediator Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko said: " There is no intention to turn back. Of course, at this stage the vision of the future is different, but they are ready to continue these talks."

Reuters