Merkel urges Kosovo and Serbia to normalize ties

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Serbia and Kosovo on Wednesday to fully implement agreements aimed at normalizing ties between the two countries.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Kosovar President Hashim Thaci in Berlin, Merkel underlined that normalization of ties between Kosovo and Serbia would bring them closer to their goal of EU membership.

“We know that it is not the easiest thing, but we have achieved some progress, and we have to work more,” she said.

“The agreements reached during the normalization dialogue must be implemented."

Merkel said priority should be given to energy issues, and the formation of Association of Serb-majority Municipalities.

The German chancellor also noted that leaders of EU member states and Western Balkan countries will meet in Bulgaria next week to discuss EU membership perspective of these countries.

Kosovo -- a former Serbian province -- declared independence in 2008 and is recognized by over 100 countries, including the U.S., the U.K., France, Germany and Turkey.

Belgrade opposed Kosovo’s independence but launched an “internal dialogue” with Piristina to resolve disagreements.

Serbia began EU membership negotiations in 2014 and is seeking to join the bloc by 2025.

Its neighbor Kosovo is seeking to gain candidate country status for EU membership by the end of 2018.