Serbia, Kosovo agree to implement EU-backed deal normalizing ties

Kosovo and Serbia have agreed a deal to normalize ties, Josep Borrell, the European Union's (EU) high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, said on Saturday after meeting Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo's head of government Albin Kurti in the North Macedonian town of Ohrid.

"We have a deal... Kosovo and Serbia have agreed on the Implementation Annex of the Agreement on the path to normalization of relations... The parties have fully committed to honor all articles of the agreement and implement their respective obligations expediently and in good faith," Borrell tweeted.

President Vucic told a news conference the parties have not agreed on all points. "Despite differences, we had decent conversation," he said.

Borrell said the EU will now forcefully demand that both sides fulfill obligations if they want to join the bloc, warning there would be consequences otherwise.

Serbia and Kosovo have been in EU-backed talks for nearly 10 years since Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Serbia rejects it and considers Kosovo its own province.

(Reuters)