The European Union's new special representative to Kosovo says integrating ethnic Serbs in the territory's north will be the biggest challenge as he seeks to bring Kosovo closer to the EU.
Samuel Zbogar, who moves into the post while continuing to serve as foreign minister of Slovenia, told his country's STA news agency the EU needs to "tackle" the fear and resentment that continues to divide Kosovo's ethnic Albanian and Serb communities nearly four years after the territory declared independence from Serbia.
Continued ethnic unrest has been reported in Kosovo, particularly at its border crossings with Serbia.
Zbogar says 70 million euros ($92 million) in EU funds have been set aside for developing state institutions in Kosovo, and talks on an EU-Kosovo trade agreement are due to start soon.
Compiled from agency reports
Samuel Zbogar, who moves into the post while continuing to serve as foreign minister of Slovenia, told his country's STA news agency the EU needs to "tackle" the fear and resentment that continues to divide Kosovo's ethnic Albanian and Serb communities nearly four years after the territory declared independence from Serbia.
Continued ethnic unrest has been reported in Kosovo, particularly at its border crossings with Serbia.
Zbogar says 70 million euros ($92 million) in EU funds have been set aside for developing state institutions in Kosovo, and talks on an EU-Kosovo trade agreement are due to start soon.
Compiled from agency reports