Ashton: Dialogue has yielded concrete results

NEW YORK -- Catherine Ashton has said that the Belgrade-Priština dialogue "has yielded concrete results so far".

(Beta/AP, file)

The EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy made the statement while presenting the regular annual report to the UN Security Council.

She also commended Ivica Dačić and Hashim Thaci "for the way they have approached these discussions".

“As you may have seen, last week the two presidents - Serbian President Nikolić and Kosovo President Jahjaga - met in Brussels for the first time, which marked an important step in the normalisation between Belgrade and Pristina,“ Ashton said in her address which was dedicated to "EU's contribution to peace and security in the world".

She noted that the process continues: a new meeting with the two prime ministers will take place next week in Brussels.

“I want to take this opportunity to commend PM Dačić and PM Thaci for the way they have approached these discussions. This process is not easy for either of them, but both know that they are doing the right thing and they have our full support. I count also on the support of this Council,” the EU's foreign policy chief said.

Ashton underlined that the dialogue, in which she is acting as an intermediary, has yielded several concrete results.

“We have an agreement to take forward the implementation of Integrated Border/Boundary Management (IBBM), as a result 4 gates are now open and fully operational; an agreement on arrangements for the protection of religious and cultural heritage. Furthermore, an agreement to appoint liaison officers to be hosted in the EU premises in Belgrade and Priština,“ Ashton said.