EU Welcomes New Serb Kosovo Statement

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EU Welcomes New Serb Kosovo Statement

September 09, 2010

European Union nations have welcomed a Serbian statement calling for a new EU-mediated "dialogue" with ethnic Albanian leaders in Kosovo over the future of the territory.

In a new draft resolution due to go before the United Nations General Assembly this week, Serbia has said it will drop its calls for the condemnation of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence.

The Serbian government says it also backing renewed talks on Kosovo's status, with the EU playing a mediating role.

The Serbian government said the new draft does not, however, in any way mark Belgrade's acceptance of Kosovo independence.

Serbian President Boris Tadic has described the draft as a "compromise" by Serbia with the EU, which Serbia hopes to join in the future.

The EU's foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, said in a statement that she "warmly" welcomes the Serbian announcement.

The Serbian decision is expected to move the Kosovo debate out of the United Nations, where major power Russia backed Serbia's opposition to Kosovo independence, to the EU, where most member nations have already recognized Kosovo's independence.

The announcement has been welcomed by Serbian liberal politicians who support closer ties to the EU, but condemned as treacherous by opposition hardliners who view Serbian control over Kosovo as non-negotiable.

The Serbian announcement follows the non-binding July decision by the International Court Of Justice that Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence did not violate international law.

Seventy countries, including the United States and most EU states, have so far recognized Kosovo's independence.

compiled from agency reports

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/EU_Welcomes_ New_Serb_Kosovo_Statement/2152581.html

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EU Welcomes New Serb Kosovo Statement