Merkel urges Serbia-Kosovo dialogue
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 23 August 2011 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Merkel urges Serbia-Kosovo dialogue, 23 August 2011, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4e5cdbe3c.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Last updated (GMT/UTC): 23.08.2011 12:24
Serbian President Boris Tadic and German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrive at a joint news conference after their meeting in Belgrade.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel says Serbia must begin normalizing relations with Kosovo if it wants to move closer to European Union membership.
Merkel, speaking after talks with President Boris Tadic in Belgrade on August 23, said Serbia must resume a dialogue with Kosovo and also influence minority Kosovo Serbs to dismantle structures of parallel authority in northern Kosovo.
Tadic said at a joint news conference that Serbia had reformed far enough to be formally recognized as a membership candidate by the EU and receive the date for the start of accession talks.
He said Belgrade is ready for a compromise with the Kosovo Albanian leadership, but without jeopardizing Serbia's "integrity and principles."
Serbia says it will never recognize the independence of predominantly ethnic Albanian Kosovo proclaimed in 2008.
An EU-launched dialogue stalled in July over Serbia's trade embargo on Kosovo goods.
compiled from agency reports
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
