EU Holds 'Frank' Discussions With Kosovo, Serbia

A combo photo shows Kosovar Prime Minister Hashim Thaci (left), EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton, and Serbia's Prime Minister Ivica Dacic

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton says she has held “open and frank discussions” with Kosovar Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi and Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic.

The November 7 meeting in Brussels followed an October 19 meeting that marked the first-ever talks between the Serbian and ethnic Albanian Kosovar sides at the top level.

A written statement released by Ashton said: “Our open and frank discussions this evening evolved around different aspects of normalization of relations.”

The statement said more talks were expected soon.

Serbia rejects Kosovo's 2008 proclamation of independence but has agreed to talks under EU mediation. Agreements have been reached on several issues.

The EU has said progress in the talks will aid Serbia’s bid to join the EU.

With reporting by AFP