"Brussels Agreement reflects the reality which is: the EU understood and accepted the fact that Serbia has not recognized Kosovo's independence, as well that we have to accept the fact that many states have recognized it," said Jadranka Joksimovic, Minister for European Integration of Serbia. 

Opening of first chapters in EU accession negotiations with Serbia is the first goal, but the success and speed of the process will depend on Serbia's progress.

 
This is according to Latvian FM Edgars Rinkevics, who currently chairs the EU Council of Ministers as Latvia on January 1 took over EU's rotating six months presidency.

Augustin Palokaj, Koha Ditore’s Brussels based correspondent, considers that despite the fact that the European Union is not currently willing to remove visas for Kosovo and it even considers returning of visas for some countries, emigration of many Kosovars towards the EU should not be used as a reason not to liberalize visas. It is obvious that visa regime has not prevented emigration and the vast number of these emigrations is from Kosovo. Lack of visa liberalization has only created business for multiethnic criminals.

The Deputy President of  European Parliament,  Ulrike Lunacek in an opinion piece for Kosova Sot, has raised her concerns whether the new government will be able to bring change and reform, which are so urgently needed in Kosovo. Lunacek calls on the new government to strictly follow some priorities, including strengthening the rule of law and legal system, combat corruption and organized crime and to work more on economic development.

In a sign of growing tension between him and the government, Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic on Sunday declared that any major decisions made on Kosovo must go to a referendum.

Serbia's President on Sunday said that if the government makes key decisions on future relations with the former province of Kosovo under pressure from the EU, the issue must be put to the public in a referendum.

The people have a right to decide on whether to accept the EU's conditions, Tomislav Nikolic told the TV show “Teska Rec” ("Hard Word") on TV Pink on December 28.

Citizens of Serbia would rather accept to live in poverty "than have someone recognize Kosovo on their behalf," Tomislav Nikolic has said.

The Serbian president made the statement on Monday as he was meeting with German Ambassador Heinz Wilhelm, adding that this was true despite the fact Serbia's entry into the European Union was "a matter of survival."

It is time that we say what Serbia thinks is the lowest it can go in terms of a solution for Kosovo-Metohija, and the final decision needs to be made by the people in a referendum, says Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic.

Proposal for the solution of K&M status will be a joint project between the Government and the President of Serbia. The document is already roughly drafted and daily consultations between Tomislav Nikolic and Aleksandar Vucic began, learned Novosti.

The front page editorial of Kosova Sot writes that the Kosovo government, through Kosovo Minister of European Integration, Bekim Collaku, announced yesterday the establishment of a Task Force to prevent mass migrations of Kosovo citizens towards the European Union.

Kosovo continues to address the growing and complex challenges of terrorism emanating from Islamic and other forms of extremism, and continues to seek assistance from US and European partners to carry out the fight, experts said.