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Foreign Minister Westerwelle welcomed understanding reached today by Serbia and Kosovo in Brussels over future cooperation
Speaking today (24 February) on the margins of the “Friends of a Democratic Syria” meeting in Tunis, Foreign Minister Westerwelle commented as follows:
“I’m very pleased that Serbia’s and Kosovo’s chief negotiators have today reached an understanding in Brussels on outstanding issues relating to their future cooperation. That’s a major step in the right direction – towards a peaceful and stable region and greater regional partnership as well as for the European perspectives of both countries. It’s also a success for Europe’s common foreign policy.
I trust the outcome of the negotiations will be endorsed by Belgrade and Pristina. That would be a very important signal prior to the EU’s deliberations next week over Serbia’s accession perspective.”
Foreign Minister Westerwelle had visited Belgrade yesterday for talks with Serbian President Tadić and Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić. With a view to the upcoming decisions on Serbia’s accession perspective, he had encouraged Serbia to act resolutely to take the remaining steps needed.
The European Union’s General Affairs Council will discuss next Tuesday (28 February) whether to grant Serbia the status of a candidate country for European Union accession.
