Recognition of Kosovo not among EU conditions: Serbian FM

The European Union (EU) never officially asked from Serbia to recognize the independence of its south province Kosovo and Metohija, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said on Sunday.

Answering to allegations that the recognition of Kosovo is one of the demands that Serbia has to fulfill on its path to EU membership, Dacic said on Sunday at a press conference that "in our official communication with the EU, never was either written or said that Serbia has the obligation to recognize the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo and Metohija."

"What exists in the papers of the EU is our obligation to make a development in the dialogue, but this dialogue is status neutral. On the other hand, our obligation is to normalize relations somehow, and as the EU put it -- sign some kind of an agreement that is binding. This does not include the question of status," Dacic explained.

He said that Serbia made clear that it will not recognize the independence of Kosovo and Metohija.

Kosovo unilaterally declared independence in 2008.

"Serbia did not change its attitude," he underlined.

He said that different visiting politicians have different opinions about Kosovo, but that this does not reflect the official attitude of the EU. Enditem