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Brnabic: Kosovo cannot stop Serbia’s road to EU (Novi Magazin, N1)

Serbian Prime Minister, Ana Brnabic said in an interview to Novi Magazin that Kosovo issue cannot stop Serbia’s road to the EU, as according to her European integration is one story, and resolving relations with Pristina is something else.

“European Commission, respectively EU, do not recognize Kosovo independence, they are status neutral and have to be so, since five important EU member states do not and will not recognize self-declared Kosovo independence,” Brnabic said.

Serwer: USA expects Kosovo recognition, Germany full normalization and Russia destabilization (Blic)

Washington supports independent and sovereign Kosovo within existing borders, and EU mediation in resolving the issues. However, in order to strengthen Kosovo sovereignty, USA wants Kosovo to join the UN, and when conditions are met an EU as well.

This is according to American expert for the Balkans, Daniel Serwer. He further told Blic daily Washington wants full normalization of Belgrade-Pristina relations, which implies mutual recognitions and the exchange of ambassadors.

“Catherine Ashton would withdraw signature from Brussels agreement” (RTS, Tanjug, B92)

Serbia should not leave the Brussels agreement, however, it should insist to know the time-frame of its implementation, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said in a show “Upitnik” aired on RTS.

“Pubic must understand that a dialogue on technical matters is currently being held, while a dialogue on permanent solution has not even started, since Pristina does not want such talks,” Dacic said.

Reactions in the EU on the arrest of Turkish nationals in Kosovo (Independent Balkan News agency)

The arrest of six Turkish nationals who lived in Kosovo and their extradition to Turkey, where they are accused by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has prompted a strong reaction in different EU circles.

Officials within the European Parliament and representatives of different organizations that handle human rights, have come out with appeals calling for the European Union to consider Kosovo as an ally of Erdogan’s Turkey and not as a country which aspires of becoming an EU member.

Carl Bildt: To overcome crisis and intensify Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (RTS)

European Committee for Foreign Relations Co-chairman, Carl Bildt said it is necessary to urgently overcome the current crisis between Belgrade and Pristina and intensify dialogue between the two sides, Serbian national broadcaster RTS reported.

Bildt arrived to Belgrade yesterday where he met Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Prime Minister Ana Brnabic.

“EU and others have to strengthen their efforts and push the region forward. There is always a risk of returning to the old habits,” Bildt wrote on his Twitter profile, RTS reported.

Russia to lodge UN demarche over Kosovo incidents – daily (Vecernje Novosti, B92)

All diplomatic representatives of Russia have been instructed to express their concern over the recent events in Kosovo.

Daily Vecernje Novosti is reporting this, adding that Russian diplomats have been instructed to point out to the failures of KFOR and EULEX - the NATO and EU missions in Kosovo - as well as to the violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 - all with the aim of "reinforcing Belgrade's position."

"EU membership depends on solving disputes with neighbors" (BETA, B92)

EU Delegation to Serbia head Sem Fabrizi says the perspective of candidate countries will also depend on definitive solutions to disputes with neighbors.

In addition, Fabrizi said, presenting the new EU strategy for the Western Balkans to the members of the Foreign Investors Council, membership will depend on the strong political will, and implementation of real and sustainable reforms.

Janjic: New format of negotiations, observers from USA and Germany (Tanjug, Kontakt plus radio, Danas)

According to political analyst Dusan Janjic, arrest of Marko Djuric was security-political trigger that sped up existing preparations for negotiations in a new format, Tanjug news agency reported.

He expects this new format would include two observers, one from the USA and the other from Germany. He also added that new format in fact means more intensive talks, prepared by political negotiators, and to be “completed by presidents in several meetings.”

Serbia's president seeks Putin's advice on Kosovo crisis (Associated Press, ABC News)

Serbia's president asked Russian President Vladimir Putin for advice Wednesday on how to counter Kosovo's "violence and aggression" against Serbs — a development that could complicate Western attempts to find a peaceful solution to the crisis in the Balkans.

Aleksandar Vucic's office said in a statement that he informed Putin about the "brutal attack" by Kosovo police on Monday against a senior Serb official who was arrested and expelled after entering the country without an official permit.

Djuric: Serbs would not give up on ZSO, despite threats (BETA, B92)

Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director, Marko Djuric said that Serbs in Kosovo would not give up on establishing the Association of the Serb Municipalities, despite threats of some of Pristina ministers, BETA news agency reported.

“Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija would not give up on ZSO, since it is our right and something that is international right. ZSO with a signature of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton became part of EU foreign and security policy, and not only the obligation of Pristina,” Djuric said.