Independence of Kosovo

Brussels favours talks to bring Serbia, Kosovo close to EU

Agence France-PresseApril 22, 2013 06:47

The European Commission on Monday recommended opening long hoped-for negotiations on Serbia's entry into the EU after Belgrade last week struck a deal to normalise ties with its former province Kosovo. Serbia is hoping to be given a date to kick off EU accession talks at a summit in June, and clinching the deal with Kosovo was the last major hurdle in its efforts to move closer to the 27-nation bloc.

Serbia approves Kosovo deal: government

Agence France-PresseApril 22, 2013 05:46

Serbia's government on Monday approved an EU-brokered deal to normalise ties with breakaway Kosovo, a historic agreement aimed at turning the page on the Balkans' last simmering trouble-spot 14 years after the end of hostilities. The government has accepted the "first accord on principles which regulate normalisation of relations, reached during the dialogue on Kosovo in Brussels" on Friday, said a statement issued after a cabinet meeting. The government has instructed ministries to take "the necessary measures" to implement the accord, it added.

EU opens to Serbia after Kosovo deal

Thomson ReutersApril 22, 2013 05:30

By Justyna Pawlak and Adrian Croft LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) - The European Commission encouraged EU governments on Monday to start membership talks with Serbia, in recognition of Belgrade's accord with Kosovo last week that marked a milestone for the Balkans' recovery from the collapse of Yugoslavia in the 1990s.

Serbia approves Kosovo deal: government

Agence France-PresseApril 22, 2013 04:45

Serbia's government on Monday approved the EU-brokered deal with breakaway Kosovo, a historic agreement aimed at turning the page on the Balkans' last simmering trouble-spot 14 years after the end of hostilities. The government has accepted the "first accord on principles which regulate normalisation of relations, reached during the dialogue on Kosovo in Brussels" on Friday, said a statement issued after a cabinet meeting. an/yad

Kosovo Serbs say they feel betrayed by historic deal

Agence France-PresseApril 20, 2013 12:30

Some are furious, others resigned, but most Serbs in northern Kosovo feel betrayed by a historic deal reached by Belgrade and Pristina to normalise ties in a step to heal the festering enmity in the Balkans' last trouble-spot. "Belgrade betrayed and cheated us," Marko Dimitrijevic, a 32-year-old pharmacist, said bitterly while sipping a coffee in a cafe in the northern Kosovan city of Kosovska Mitrovica.

Kosovo Serbs feel betrayed by historic deal

Agence France-PresseApril 20, 2013 08:45

AFP Europe News Agenda

Agence France-PresseApril 20, 2013 03:00

What's happening in Europe on Saturday: + Kerry in Istanbul for Syria crisis meeting + Italy to hold another round of voting for president + French family returns home after kidnap ordeal + Serbia, Kosovo agree landmark deal on relations ISTANBUL: US Secretary of State John Kerry joins foreign ministers from the "Friends of Syria" group at 1500 GMT to consider next steps in efforts to end the war in Syria. Picture. Video (SYRIA-CONFLICT-DIPLOMACY)

Serbia, Kosovo strike historic deal

Agence France-PresseApril 19, 2013 16:31

The leaders of Serbia and Kosovo initialled a historic deal Friday to normalise ties, a move key to the future of the Western Balkans and destined also to bring both closer to the European Union. Ivica Dacic and Hashim Thaci signed a 15-point agreement struck after two years of tough talks to reduce mutual tension and immediately won praise from around the world. "What we are seeing is a step away from the past and, for both of them, a step closer to Europe," said EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.

US welcomes Serbia, Kosovo deal

Agence France-PresseApril 19, 2013 14:46

The United States on Friday welcomed an historic deal between Serbia and its former province of Kosovo, as US Secretary of State John Kerry called for the pact to be swiftly implemented. The top US diplomat said the deal on normalizing ties "required compromise and political courage from both sides." "I applaud the governments of Kosovo and Serbia for making the hard decisions that will move them closer to their goals of European integration," he said in a statement.

Serbia, Kosovo finally strike historic deal

Agence France-PresseApril 19, 2013 14:32

Serbia and its former province of Kosovo initialled a historic deal Friday to normalise ties, a move key to the future of the Western Balkans and destined also to bring both closer to the European Union. Hailed as a milestone deal by EU leaders, the premiers of Serbia and Kosovo, Ivica Dacic and Hashim Thaci, put their signatures to a 15-point agreement struck after two years of tough talks to reduce mutual tension. "What we are seeing is a step away from the past and, for both of them, a step closer to Europe," said EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.