To join EU, Serbia will not be required to recognize Kosovo's independence: US envoy

BELGRADE, Serbia

The US ambassador to Serbia said on Thursday that recognition of Kosovo's independence will not be a condition for Serbia to join the European Union.

"I think they have said very clearly that there are EU members who do not recognize Kosovo, so the real issue is to try to achieve normalization where those borders will not be borders that divide, but borders that unite," Christopher Hill told Serbian weekly magazine NIN.

Hill added that EU representatives want peace and security in the region.

Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008 is not recognized by five EU members: Spain, Greece, Romania, Slovakia and the Greek Cypriot administration.

The EU countries in question, except Spain, recognize the Republic of Kosovo travel documents.

Serbia, a candidate for EU membership, is often criticized for developing ties with China and Russia as well as its disputes with Kosovo.

Serbia is the only country in Europe that has not imposed sanctions against Russia.