Kosovo PM says agreement with Serbia is getting closer

Kosovar Prime Minister Hashim Thaci has expressed hope that a deal with Serbia regarding his country’s status is within reach.

Thaci made the statement on March 14 after meeting in Pristina with European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.

“Progress is happening step by step, we have to deal with accumulated problems [with Serbia] that are a century old,” he said. “The problems in the north go back as far as 13-14 years ago but for the first time [in the north] law and order are starting to function. This is not directed against anyone but it is rather in service of everyone. Therefore, I expect things to move forward, towards achieving a political agreement aimed at normalizing relations between our two countries.”

Thaci denied that concessions will be made to the Serbian minority living in northern Kosovo.

He added ethnic Serbs will hold separate elections in September but the elected body will not have executive powers.