ANKARA
The normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo is a priority in the two countries' bids to join the European Union, the enlargement chief Stefan Fule said in his visits to both countries on Monday and Tuesday.
He told Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic on Monday that the rule of law and economic reforms were the other priorities in Serbia's EU bid.
"It is very encouraging to see that in the last elections the Serbian citizens have supported parties with clear and ambitious commitment to the EU integration," he said.
In his visit to Kosovo's capital, Pristina, he told Prime Minister Hashim Thaci that "the need to continue the normalisation process with Serbia" was one of the three key issues on the EU-Kosovo agenda for the year.
Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008, is recognized by more than 100 states, including the U.S., U.K., France, Germany and Turkey. The governments of Serbia and Russia do not recognize it as a sovereign state.
Despite the Serbia and Kosovo signing an agreement considered as 'breakthrough' by EU leaders, two states appear to have a lot to do in normalizing their relations.
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