Serbia and Kosovo's leaders hold their first talks in 18 months, agreeing to a face-to-face meeting next week on the 'very difficult' process
Newly elected Kosovo PM Avdullah Hoti as he speaks to the media in Pristina on June 3, 2020 and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic addressing the media in Belgrade on June 21, 2020.
Kosovo's Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic held a video summit that was also joined by French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. "There are very difficult perspectives for the outcome of this dialogue, but there is a commitment by everyone to proceed step by step," added a French presidential official, who asked not to be named.Both Kosovo and Serbia have been facing mounting pressure from the West to resolve the impasse which is seen as crucial to either side joining the EU.
Speaking after the meeting, Vucic said, “we had really tough negotiations,” and that he told Macron and Merkel that if Kosovo's independence "is what they want to talk about, then these talks are completely meaningless.” Vucic, who is facing a major crisis at home after protests over a new coronavirus lockdown in Serbia, had warned ahead of the talks that he did not expect a smooth ride and that "no one is going to cuddle us or give us a present."
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