Kosovo dialogue continues, "Thaci to seek recognition"

Kosovo dialogue continues, "Thaci to seek recognition"

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said on Monday he does not expect too much from the new round of talks, but that he wants to ask the EU officials not to support bringing "weapons and tools" where they do not belong - while the other topics would be addressed as the dialogue continues.

Vucic thinks that EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini will suggest more frequent high level meetings and acceleration of the dialogue, as it is not functioning like before at this level, "which is why incidents occur."

As for the expectations of Pristina, the Belgrade newspaper writes, Hashim Thaci was the one who revealed the cards, saying that "the time has come for the final chapter in the talks with Serbia that will result in mutual recognition."

"Kosovo will not negotiate on internal issues, as it decides on them alone. The best possible solution is for Serbia to recognize Kosovo, which would be an end to the dialogue that began as technical. Now we are entering a more advanced stage, which will lead to the recognition of Kosovo by Serbia," he told Radio Free Europe, adding that the dialogue is "supported by the U.S. and EU" and that it strengthens "the state of Kosovo."

The Serb team will include Vucic and President Tomislav Nikolic, while Thaci and Isa Mustafa will sit on the other side.

"Commitment"

Top Belgrade and Pristina officials will discuss concrete, significant matters in Brussels on Tuesday as it is important to confirm the engagement and commitments of both parties in the dialogue, says European Commission spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic.

Speaking to reporters ahead of a new round of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Kocijancic said Serbian and Kosovo PMs Aleksandar Vucic and Isa Mustafa were expected to attend, as were Serbian and Kosovo Presidents Tomislav Nikolic and Hashim Thaci.