EU official: Dačić-Thaci meeting is step forward

BELGRADE -- Wednesday's meeting between Ivica Dačić and Hashim Thaci in Brussels "is a highly positive step forward", EU's representative in Serbia Vincent Degert has said.

Vincent Degert (file)

Today's meeting is another step forward, Degert told reporters at the Palace of Serbia in Belgrade.

Degert recalled that after the previous, October 19 meeting between Dačić and Thaci, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton had visited Belgrade and encouraged the continuation of the process.

The upcoming talks between Belgrade and Priština are very important, Degert said, adding that the EU has welcomed the agreements reached in the dialogue so far and expects the talks to tackle the remaining issues.

EU members expect progress in the talks as the issue is vital to Serbia's further progress in European integration and the beginning of EU membership negotiations, said Degert.

He said he was not sure that Serbia would receive a date for the start of negotiations in December, but it could happen early the following year.