"Normalization of relations with Kosovo important"

BRUSSELS -- European Council President Herman Van Rompuy met with Serbian PM Ivica Dačić on Friday and promised the EU "would fulfill its obligations to Serbia".

Ivica Dačić and Herman Van Rompuy (Tanjug)

On the other hand, Dačić stated that he expected Serbia to start EU accession negotiations as soon as possible.

“Serbian people deserve to live better,” he stressed.

Van Rompuy praised the Serbian prime minister for his vision and determination to commit to the dialogue on normalization of relations with Priština. The latest round of the negotiations was finished late last night in Brussels.

“The EU will fulfill its obligations to Serbia,” Van Rompuy told a joint press conference in Brussels but stressed that aside from necessary reforms, steps toward "normalization of relations with Kosovo were important".

“Time is of key importance,” the European Council president said and stressed that “great challenges lie ahead”.

He reiterated that the European Council would in the spring assess progress made in the Belgrade-Priština dialogue and then make a decision on the beginning of the negotiations.

Dačić pointed out that Serbia was determined to achieve two key goals of the national policy – a sustainable solution for the Belgrade-Priština relations and fast progress in the EU integration process.

“We will take care of legitimate interests of Serbia and Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija and of course of interests of Albanians,” he noted.

The Serbian prime minister also expressed hope that Serbia would already begin the EU accession talks the next time he would met with Van Rompuy.

Dačić thanked Van Rompuy and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton for their hospitality and help in the dialogue with Priština.

Dačić and Kosovo PM Hashim Thaci met on Thursday night and agreed on a temporary solution for customs collection at administrative crossings.