According to the media reports, referring to unnamed sources, political directors for the Western Balkans of five Western countries, met on consultations on the final phase of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, scheduled to take place in the coming months and be crowned by a final agreement between the parties, expected to result in a normalization of relations.

It would be a great success if Serbia and Kosovo came to a compromise, because Kosovo is "within the reach of realizing its independence," says Ivica Dacic.

The foreign minister reiterated that Serbia will never recognize Kosovo but wants a compromise solution.

According to him, Kosovo is within reach of realizing its independence, while Serbia is surviving thanks to its traditional friends, because "the international community" thinks of the Kosovo issue as being resolved and "does not want to talk about it."

Struggling to make ends meet as government support requires 50 per cent of their budget to come from other sources, NGO-run shelters for victims of domestic abuse might face closure once again.

Kosovo shelters for victims fleeing domestic violence are having financial difficulties, which could lead to their closure once again.

Serbia's draft strategy on security names separatism, religious and political extremism and more recognitions of Kosovo as some of the key threats to national security.

Serbia's latest National Security Strategy lists separatism, extremism, recognition of Kosovo's independence and attempts to revise Bosnia's 1995 Dayton Agreement as some of the main security threats to the country.

The strategy, published on the website of the Defence Ministry, says the status of Kosovo, inter-ethnic tensions and the migrant crisis are having the most impact on the country and the region.

My first reaction to the statements of Aleksandar Vucic and Vladimir Putin that Russia has the power in UN to prevent the joining of Kosovo is - nobody ever doubted it. It's a fact.

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic told TV Pink, that Kosovo issue is the most important topic and government reconstruction can wait.

She added the reconstruction of the government was a topic some time ago, however serious things occurred in Kosovo and Metohija, thus it became “obvious that our unity is a priority and support to the President Vucic to find a solution in normalization of relations with Pristina. That is why reconstruction became of secondary importance,” Brnabic stated.

Bulgarian newspaper 24 Chasa is reporting that Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy will attend an informal meeting of the European Council on May 16 in Sofia.

However, it is not yet certain whether Rajoy will also participate in the EU-Western Balkans summit on May 17, BTA agency quoted the daily.

The report also stated that "Romania, Slovakia, and Cyprus, which, like Spain, do not recognize Kosovo, will participate in the summit."

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met on Thursday with President of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiades, whom he welcomed in Belgrade earlier in the day.

Speaking after the meeting, Anastasiades - who was throughout their joint news conference addressing Vucic as "friend" and "dear president" - pointed out that relations between our two countries are deeply rooted in historic, friendly and religious ties, and that their mutually beneficial cooperation is safe.

We appeal to our statesmen to never consent to the alienation of Kosovo and Metohija, since what is taken by force can be returned, while what is given away as a gift is lost forever, and Serbs and Serbia must not allow that to happen. The Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) sincerely hopes that the problem created firstly by an armed uprising of Albanian separatists, and then by the occupation of our southern province would be resolved peacefully based on justice and law principles.

Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director, Marko Djuric said it is fully logical to have talks on Kosovo at different sides, Serbian media reported.

Djuric made this remark commenting on media allegations that USA, Great Britain, France, Italy and Germany representatives gather in Washington, where talks on the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue would be held.

He added “it is crystal clear” which countries support Kosovo independence.