Talks aimed at normalising bilateral relations between Kosovo and Serbia were held in Brussels. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini hosted the three-hour meeting between Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and his Serbian counterpart, Aleksandar Vucic.
According to Mogherini, she and the two presidents had an “intensive and productive discussion on the framework of an agreement on comprehensive normalization of relations between the two sides”.
“They agreed to intensify the work in the coming weeks,” Mogherini’s office also said in a statement.
As reported by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), it was the first such meeting since March and only the second this year.
Speaking to reporters, Thaci described the talks as “the most difficult meeting”
“I am afraid that if we don’t reach an agreement we will [both] lose a lot. The EU will accept neither Kosovo nor Serbia as long as we have problems between each other,” he added.
Serbia’s former province of Kosovo declared independence in 2008 and is recognised as a sovereign state by more than 110 countries but not by Belgrade and Moscow.
Both Serbia and Kosovo are pursuing membership in the EU, and the bloc wants an agreement to normalize ties completed by the end of 2019.
