Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga has paid a visit to Serbian family Maksimovic in Gračanica/Graçanicë on the occasion of the Orthodox Christmas and wished them good health and happiness.

The US influence is large in the region, especially in Kosovo, and Washington sees the European Union as a kind of competition, says Aleksandar Popov, from the Center for Regionalism, who points out that the US influence in the region can be seen both directly and indirectly.

“Announcements made by the Serbian Prime Minister about continuation  of negotiations on 27 January, who buy the way says that negotiations will be difficult, clearly shows that Aleksandar Vucic is ready to make new concessions to Pristina aimed at building independent Kosovo,” stated Patriotic Block from Kosovo and Metohija.

"It is not borders and state territories that matter, but people’s fortunes," Russian President Vladimir Putin has said. In an interview for Germany's Bild newspaper, he reiterated his position that Russia respected international law in the case of the annexation of Crimea. "We have not gone to war, we have not fired, not a single person was killed. Our soldiers have merely prevented the Ukrainian troops on Crimea from impeding the freedom of expression of the people.

Serbian Labor Minister Aleksandar Vulin wished a happy Christmas to all Orthodox believers from Pec/Peja in Kosovo.

He noted that "unsolved crimes cast a dark shadow over the holiday joy in Kosovo and Metohija," reported Tanjug.

Vulin attended a Christmas liturgy at the Pec Patriarchate and called on the international community to ensure conditions for the displaced to return to Kosovo.

Pristina should not expect Belgrade to fulfill its obligations from the agreement on telecommunications until it delivers its part, Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Djuric told RTS.

Why new borders are being drawn within Serbia if Europe is uniting by erasing borders between states, Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Irinej has asked.

"I am not dealing with politics when I'm saying this but, as the Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, I am contemplating further consequences of a fragmented Serbia living in a 'united' Europe. This is too serious issue to be dealt by politicians with a limited duration," the Patriarch told Vecernje Novosti daily.

Head of the European Commission Delegation to Serbia Michael Davenport said that he was optimistic about the prospects of Serbia's membership in the EU, but that it's not up to him to say how long this process will last.

He says that the speed of the process depends "primarily on Serbia's ability to meet all expectations in all areas."

Davenport says that most probably chapters 25 and 26 will be closed faster (science and culture) because, as he says, Serbia has made much progress here.