Serbia, Albania Seek To Build Business Ties Despite Tensions Over Kosovo

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama (left) and Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic attend the Business Forum Serbia in the city of Nis.

Businesses from Serbia and Albania met on October 14 in an effort to boost economic ties and stabilize the Balkans region still troubled by tensions from the 1990s war.

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama inaugurated the gathering in Serbia's southern city of Nis, some 200 kilometers south of Belgrade.

Serbia and Albania remain at odds over Kosovo, the predominantly ethnic Albanian and former Serbian province that declared independence in 2008. Serbia does not recognize the split, which Albania supports.

Both countries want to join the European Union.

Vucic said that, despite their differences, his government welcomes Albanian businesses.

Rama told the business gathering that "our aim is to turn our borders that separate us into bridges that connect us."

With reporting by AP