EU to Support Any Mutually Agreed Deal in Serbia-Kosovo Dispute - Mogherini

14:54 GMT, 31 August 2018

VIENNA (Sputnik) - EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini refused to comment on the idea of exchanging territories between Serbia and the self-proclaimed Republic of Kosovo, noting that the main outcome of Friday's talks in Vienna was the European Union's readiness to support any mutually agreed solution based on international law.

Sputnik

"I have seen around the table today in these days very strong support for the dialogue, for the commitment and the engagement of Vucic and Thaci in this delicate phase… Next week we will continue the dialogue with Thaci and Vucic. Whatever outcome that is mutually agreed would get our support provided it is as it is being discussed currently, in line with international law and with the European Union acquis," Mogherini said at a press conference.

Vucic Calls on Kosovo Serbs Not to 'React to Provocation' Despite Tensions

4 August 2018, 01:39 GMT

Earlier in the day, EU foreign ministers held informal talks in the Austrian capital, focusing on the Balkans, including the border conflict between Serbia and Kosovo. In early August, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that he favored partitioning Kosovo along ethnic lines as a means of avoiding further conflicts.

According to this plan, Serbia would give up its southern areas, mostly inhabited by Albanians, for Kosovo's territories where the Serbian population prevails. However, President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci rejected the idea.

Serbian President Calls Security Meeting Over Situation in Kosovo - Reports

3 August 2018, 17:45 GMT

Kosovo proclaimed its independence from Serbia in 2008, which over 100 UN member states officially recognized, while Serbia still considers Kosovo as its Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija. In 2013, the Brussels Agreement on normalizing relations between Serbia and Kosovo was signed, which marked the beginning of cooperation.

The next round of negotiations between Thaci and Vucic, mediated by Mogherini, is scheduled for September 7 in Brussels.

The European Union expects that an agreement between Serbia and Kosovo would be concluded by spring 2019.