Clinton tours Serbian Orthodox church in Kosovo

PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton toured a Serbian Orthodox church in Kosovo Wednesday, Oct 31 as she pressed America's close ally to step up its minority outreach while trying to convince ethnic Serbs that they have a home in Europe's youngest nation, Edmonton Journal reports.

At the St. Nicholas Church in Kosovo's capital, a site of anti-Serb riots eight years ago, Clinton greeted members of the Serb minority who've returned to Kosovo after years abroad despite continued interethnic tensions. In Pristina, she also joined the European Union's foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, in seeking to advance talks between Serbia and its former province so both can one day join the 27-nation EU.

"The United States is firmly committed to Kosovo's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to seeing the rule of law extend throughout Kosovo," Clinton said, speaking to reporters alongside Ashton and Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci. "We oppose any discussion of territory changes or reopening Kosovo's independent status. These matters are not up for discussion. The boundaries of an independent, sovereign Kosovo are clear and set."

But she said Kosovo's government and people needed to embrace changes if they are to move forward.