Ashton on dialogue between Belgrade and Priština

Ashton on dialogue between Belgrade and Priština

"The key thing to achieving the agreement was that both sides saw that status quo benefited no one," Ashton stated, adding that she had "merely helped them find a solution they could both accept."

Ashton also stressed that "no one had ever asked Serbia to recognize Kosovo or Kosovo to give up its independence."

She explained how the talks started by saying that she had asked Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić to give dialogue a try, "and he agreed."

"Two very nervous prime ministers appeared for the first round of the talks and it was not certain if there would be handshakes, but they did shake hands, although it was not photographed," Ashton noted describing the meeting that took place in her office.

"Everything was done to make sure Dačić and Thaci were not uncomfortable," she added.

Belgrade and Priština initialed an agreement on the normalization of their relations in Brussels on April 19, 2013, as a result of negotiations facilitated by the EU.

Based on that agreement, a number of others were reached later, including the agreements on the police and creation of a community of Serb municipalities in Kosovo.

However, because of obstructions from Priština, the community has not been formed yet, so it will be one of the chief topics once the Brussels talks continue, Tanjug said in its report.

Visit announced

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton congratulated leader of the Serb Progressive Party (SNS) Aleksandar Vučić on the victory and results that the party had achieved in the recent parliamentary election in Serbia, and voiced hope that they would meet in Belgrade straight after the formation of a new government.

I would like to congratulate you on the victory and wish you all the best in your future career. Serbia's citizens recognized your efforts and vision, and rewarded you with the trust to lead them toward the European Union, reads the message of congratulations which Tanjug has seen.

The EU's foreign policy chief hopes for further close cooperation, and that she will meet Vucic soon with a view to continuing the dialogue and ensuring further implementation of the Brussels agreement.

I would like to visit Serbia as soon as a new government is formed, so that we discuss Serbia's further steps along the EU path, reads the message of congratulations sent by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton.