Kosovo and Serbia Under EU Spotlight

In an article published today in German daily newspaper, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the two ministers noted that the invitation for Croatia to join the European Union demonstrated just what the countries of this region have managed to achieve, but warned that "the latest events in Kosovo confirm that the successes achieved over recent years are still at risk due to ethnic tension."

The two ministers said that "Serbia and Kosovo must find a diplomatic solution to their differences that respects the borders of Kosovo, improves the lives of all and leads both sides towards the EU". They added that the EU would be watching progress in the region closely until then.

"We wholeheartedly support the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina... In the autumn the EU will discuss relations with Serbia and Kosovo. We will carefully monitor how much progress the two countries achieve by then," explains the article jointly authored by the two ministers.
 
The article also praised the countries of the former Yugoslavia, noting that “almost 17 years after the conflict that led to the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia, the Western Balkan countries have made great strides towards democracy and good neighbourly relations" and that "all of those accused of war crimes have been extradited to the international court ".