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Dacic: Belgrade won’t recognise Kosovo first, and then talk (N1, Beta)

Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said on Tuesday that Serbia would not first accept the independence of Kosovo and then negotiate with Pristina, adding "that’s for sure," the Beta news agency reported.

After meeting his Cape Verde’s counterpart Luis Filipe Taveras in Belgrade, Ivica Dacic told reporters that "unilaterally declared independence (of Kosovo) was an illegal act."

"Our stand is that we don’t recognise Kosovo, an illegal creation."

Dacic added that Kosovo’s independence was contrary to the international law and that no country would accept that, so Serbia would not either, regardless of all pressures and talks.

He said that both Germany and Great Britain were against the changes of borders, while other countries supported a compromise and did not interfere in what way Belgrade and Pristina would reach it.

"They are only interested that there is an agreement," Dacic said, adding it was important that states which had not recognised Kosovo’s independence empower Serbia to work into reaching a compromise.

Belgrade – Pristina dialogue mediated by the European Union was put on hold, and according to news from Brussels, it was not sure when it would continue.

In the meantime, both sides exchange accusations of who is to blame for the last failure and firmly pursue own agendas of what kind of a compromise may be acceptable to everyone.

Kosovo's President Hashim Thaci insists on border changes to include Serbia’s southern district of Presevo Valley mostly populated by ethnic Albanians into Kosovo while offering nothing in return.

But, he faces bitter problems at home where the opposition says he is not authorised to lead the Brussels talks.

On the other hand, his Serbia’s counterpart Aleksandar Vucic has little if any opposition at home regardless of whatever he does or says.

However, Vucic avoids revealing what are Belgrade’s demands, sometimes promising Kosovo Serbs they will be better off, and the other times saying he is not optimistic considering what Serbia could get from the talks.