Kosovo Foreign Minister, Enver Hoxhaj, said in an interview for the leading Slovakian paper Pravda that Serbia has already recognised reality of an independent Kosovo. With regards to his visit to Belgrade in October, Hoxhaj said that the presence of a Kosovo foreign minister in a conference of regional’s chiefs of diplomacy is a natural step in improvement of relations between Belgrade and Pristina. “It was an informal meeting but I nevertheless received an invitation like all the rest. Overall, I had successful bilateral meetings with deputy prime minister and chief of diplomacy, Dacic”, said Hoxhaj.

Hoxhaj also expressed the readiness of Kosovo to continue dialogue with Serbia but stressed that the process cannot last indefinitely. “Before Serbia joins the EU, it has to reach with us a legally-binding agreement on relations. This is a term applied by European Union. Kosovo wants a peace treaty with Serbia which would, once and for all, close the bad, century-old chapter of conflict. The treaty should lead to recognition of Kosovo as a sovereign and independent country, and enable us to join international organisations, including the UN, and establishment of diplomatic relations between Pristina and Belgrade”, he said.

He also added that apart from the technical dialogue and the one at the highest level between Kosovo and Serbia leaders, there is a need for a third type of dialogue. “It involves the role of the media, the civil society, education institutions and culture elites from both sides. They should contribute to improvement of relations by seeking understanding and reconciliation”.