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No Breakthrough At Belgrade-Pristina Talks


European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (left) meets with Serbian and Kosovar Prime Ministers Hashim Thaci (second from left) and Ivica Dacic (right front) in Brussels on March 4.
European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (left) meets with Serbian and Kosovar Prime Ministers Hashim Thaci (second from left) and Ivica Dacic (right front) in Brussels on March 4.
A sixth round of EU-mediated talks between Serbia and Kosovo has ended in Brussels with "some work" ahead of participants before a fresh meeting.

EU foreign affairs head Catherine Ashton said the meeting she chaired with Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic and Kosovo Premier Hashim Thaci on March 4 "made good progress."

"There will be some work done between now and March 20, when we will meet again," Ashton added.

All three were due to discuss potential arrangements for governing ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo.

Kosovo’s government in Pristina unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008.

But Belgrade and tens of thousands of Serbs in northern Kosovo reject that declaration of independence, insisting all of Kosovo is part of Serbia.

Belgrade insists Serb-populated municipalities in northern Kosovo should have their own jurisdiction over the police, judiciary, and education.

Pristina opposes the demand saying the request undermines Kosovo's constitution and internal order.
Based on reporting by AP and dpa

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