EU diplomat Josep Borrell starts Kosovo-Serbia talks
EU diplomat Josep Borrell starts Kosovo-Serbia talks
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BRUSSELS: Josep Borrell, the European Union's  foreign policy diplomat, on Thursday began high-level crisis discussion between Kosovo and Serbia in Brussels, calling for both sides to show flexibility.

Taking to Twitter Borell said: "Recent worries in the north of Kosovo has demonstrated yet again that it is time to move ahead towards full normalisation." 

Albin Kurti, the prime minister of Kosovo, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic were urged by Borrell to "be open and flexible to identify common ground" in order to advance.  After separately meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday to discuss recent tensions, the two Balkan leaders arrived for the EU-mediated meetings.

After a dispute in late July over identity documents and licence plates led to barricades and gunfire near the Kosovo-Serbia border, the head of NATO conducted negotiations. KFOR, NATO's 4,000-strong peacekeeping force in Kosovo, responded by saying it was closely observing the situation and was ready to act "if stability is compromised."

Stoltenberg acknowledged that the situation has improved, but he reaffirmed that KFOR "would take any measure that is required to preserve a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all the people of Kosovo." Kosovo, a region largely made up of ethnic Albanians, seceded from Serbia in 1999 and proclaimed its independence two years later.

Serbia continues to assert its claim to the region despite Kosovo's declaration of independence. The majority of NATO and EU nations acknowledge Kosovo as a distinct state.

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