Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic told Radio Belgrade that Serbia "will do everything to, by 2018 or 2019, complete the negotiations with the EU so the organization can make a political decision on Serbia's full membership.

Dacic says that progress on all other chapters will depend on the progress made in chapter 35, which concerns normalization of relations with Pristina; he says " the problem is that it is not clear even to European Union what all implies this chapter.

The European Union has "taken note of the position of the Constitutional Court of Kosovo to be formed Association / Community of municipalities with Serbian majority", according to Belgrade-Pristina agreement, and stresses that "expects all parties concerned to respect that decision."

President Tomislav Nikolic and Patriarch Irinej discussed at the Patriarchy the possibility to propose Vatican model for the position of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) in Kosovo. They met in the midst of preparing for the resumption of dialogue with Pristina, since Serbian negotiating team announced intention of the government to nominate the issue of the status of the SPC and its assets in Kosovo, within the new round of talks.

The EU Office in Kosovo/EU Special Representative has taken note of the decision of the Constitutional Court concerning the assessment of the principles on the establishment of the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities. “The Constitutional Court has held that the Association/Community of the Serb-majority municipalities is to be established as provided by the First Agreement, in accordance with the Constitution.

The Principal Deputy of the Prime Minister of Kosovo, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hashim Thaci, hosted today a meeting with the Italian Foreign Minister, Paolo Gentiloni. Thaci informed Gentiloni with the achievements of Kosovo including contractual relations with the European Union, through the Stabilization Association Agreement as well as about the positive report on the process of visa liberalization. Thaci said that Kosovo expects recommendation for visa liberalization by the beginning of the next year.

Deputy leader of the Vetevendosje movement, Driton Caushi, said during a press conference today, that Kosovo will not manage to complete the European Union’s set criteria for liberalization of visas, being that one of the basic criteria is fighting of corruption. “The government cannot fulfill these criteria, because this means that it would have to fight itself,” Caushi said.

EU foreign policy Chief Federica Mogherini will invite Aleksandar Vucic and Isa Mustafa to meet in Brussels after New Year's and Christmas holidays.

Belgrade-based daily Vecernje Novosti writes, quoting "EU diplomatic circles".

A new round of the Kosovo dialogue, in Brussels, should be scheduled after the Constitutional Court in Pristina take a decision on the constitutionality of the agreement on the Community/Association of Serbian Municipalities (ZSO).

The President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga praised the role of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Kosovo, in her speech at the ceremony of its fortieth anniversary. “The Academy plays a role in strengthening of our young democracy. We should build the culture of dialogue which overcomes divisions through political forces. We should not dare risk our relation with the international factor, especially with the European Union and America and aggravates the life of the citizens of the country,” said Jahjaga.

The paper’s columnist Lumir Abdixhiku writes today that visa liberalization wouldn't solve the problems of Kosovo citizens. Also, according to Abdixhiku, the right of free movement - taken as the last in the region - does not make any achievement. “Visa liberalization, however, would bring a glimmer of hope for Kosovars. It would bring a dignified treatment that Europe gives to young Europeans. But it did not happen.

Kosovo’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Hashim Thaci, said today that he was disappointed with the EU’s delay in granting visa liberalization to Kosovo. “This is a direct insult against the people of Kosovo. We have worked for so many years in meeting the criteria and standards so that we can enjoy all rights as citizens of Europe. I am disappointed with the EU’s delay with visa liberalization. This is a serious provocation and a result of the inability of the EU. The people of Kosovo must know the truth. We have met all the criteria required for visa liberalization.