A comprehensive normalization of Belgrade-Pristina relations is the key to the European integration of both Serbia and Kosovo, Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl told Monday edition of the Belgrade daily Vecernje Novosti.
She added that the European Union is wary about importing open questions along with the new members.
A legally binding agreement would be an opportunity for Belgrade and Pristina to turn a new page in their mutual relations, the FM Kneissl said.
Belgrade’s relations with Moscow do not have to suffer when Serbia joins the EU. “Belgrade can surely find a pragmatic approach to maintain good relations with Moscow,” Kneissl added.
The Austrian Foreign Minister also said Serbia had done well during the migrant crisis but was expected to align its migration and visa policies with EU policies, adding that speculation about regional centres for migrants is premature even though that idea was confirmed at the recent EU summit. “Those centre can only be set up in close cooperation with the countries concerned and we first have to work out a large number of practical and legal details,” Kneissl said.
