Clinton and Ashton urge Serb-Kosovan resolution

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton urged leaders in Kosovo to reach an agreement with Serbia.

Clinton backed Kosovo’s hopes of joining the EU and outlined the US stance.

Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State:

“Let me be absolutely clear, not only here in Pristina but to anyone listening or watching throughout the region: the United States is firmly committed to Kosovo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Kosovo’s Prime Minister Hashim Thaci confirmed his commitment to talks with Serbia and stated that the route to EU membership was only possible through dialogue.

Hashim Thaci, Prime Minister of Kosovo:

“The normalisation of relations of Kosovo with Serbia is in the mutual interest of Kosovo and Serbia. The European Union and US have powerful investments in peace, stability, regional cooperation and for the Euro-Atlantic perspective.”

Clinton and Ashton visited Serbia just the day before and the Serbian and Kosovan leaders are due to meet in Brussels in a few days. They must tackle the thorny issue of Kosovo’s northern region, which is mainly populated by Serbs and is claimed by Belgrade as an ethnic partition.

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