The FINANCIAL — European Council President Donald Tusk has urged Kosovo to work harder on normalizing ties with Serbia, as part of its European Union integration efforts.
“Without a comprehensive normalization of relations with Serbia and full implementation of the agreements, I don’t see how a breakthrough in relations with the EU could be achieved,” Tusk said on April 26 at a joint news conference with Kosovo President Hashim Thaci.
“I know it is going to be hard but I am still a cautious optimist,” Tusk said.
Tusk made similar remarks in Belgrade the previous day after talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, emphasizing that normal relations with Kosovo are also a key condition for Serbia to make progress on EU integration, according to RFE/RL’s Balkan Service.
Serbia wants to join the EU while maintaining close ties with traditional ally Russia.
Vucic told Tusk that Belgrade wants to reach a compromise on Kosovo, “so our children don’t have the same problem as we do today.”
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, in a move recognized by 116 countries, including 23 out of 28 EU members.
But Belgrade has refused to recognize Kosovo and still regards it as a Serbian province. Moreover, around 120,000 Serbs who live in Kosovo still consider Belgrade their capital, and they are financially supported by Serbia.
Tusk is on a weeklong tour of the Western Balkans ahead of a regional summit on May 17.
During his visit, a contract for a 45 million-euro ($54.82 million) loan was signed with the European Investment Bank to go toward upgrading Serbia’s and Montenegro’s air-traffic control systems so they meet EU regulations.
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