EU accession hinges on relations with Kosovo

Improving relations with Kosovo is key to Serbia's accession into the European Union (EU), EU President Herman Van Rompuy said today. His comments followed a meeting with Serbia's President Ivica Dacic in Brussels. ''The Serbian government has decided to cooperate with the region. In addition, all agreements with Pristina will be activated, in particular on border issues,'' Van Rompuy said. He also urged Belgrade and Pristina to engage in dialogue facilitated by the EU to ''find a solution to the situation in the north of Kosovo.'' He invited the Serbian government to implement justice reforms aimed at combatting organized crime, promoting press freedom and protecting minorities, as well as measures to increase exports and shrink unemployment. ''The EU is ready to help Serbia to advance its European agenda. The speed of progress depends on Serbia, whose future is in Europe,'' Van Rompuy concluded.