Serbian leader: 100 years of talking beats 1 day at war

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia

Serbia's president on Thursday said having long talks with Kosovo was better than a day at war.

Aleksandar Vucic's remarks came ahead of his meeting with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini together with Kosovar President Hashim Thaci in Brussels as part of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue process.

"I am not pleased to meet with Thaci and other officials from Kosovo. But talking for 100 years is better than one day at war. It's my job," Vucic said.

He added: "Peace is important, everything else is not for comparison."

Vucic said that he should behave responsibly more than anyone else in order to maintain peace and stability.

He also expressed the international community satisfaction on the issue.

Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008.

Serbia rejected the move and considers Kosovo its own territory, while more than 100 countries worldwide -- including Turkey, the U.S., Britain, France, and Germany -- recognize it as an independent country.