Kosovo, Serbia leaders meet for first time, with help from EU
Serbian Prime minister and interior minister Ivica Dacic answers journalists’ questions during a press conference at the Salzburg Forum on Oct. 11, 2012 in Matrahaza.
The first official meeting between the prime ministers of Serbia and Kosovo took place Friday, facilitated by the European Union.
Kosovo became a state in 2008 after declaring its independence from Serbia, which has not recognized the move. The "bitter Balkan rivals," as the Associated Press called them, have a history of intense ethnic violence during the 1990s, when Serbia was under the reign of Slobodan Milosevic. Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci is still wanted for alleged war crimes in Serbia, according to Reuters.
Catherine Ashton, the EU's foreign policy chief, brokered the hour-long talks between Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci and his Serbian counterpart, Ivica Dacic, Reuters reported.
Both Serbia and Kosovo have launched bids for EU membership. The talks, which sought to address tensions in the region and in the relationship between Serbia and Kosovo, were preceded by one-on-one meetings between Ashton and each of the prime ministers, according to Voice of America.
The meeting appeared to have been constructive, with Dacic declaring to reporters after the talks that he is prepared to discuss differences.
The parties are expected to meet again in November, the AP said.
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