EU-brokered talks between Serbia, Kosovo resumeFebruary 16, 2012 - 18:36 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - European Union-brokered talks between Serbia and its former province of Kosovo are to resume on Tuesday, February 16 - days before EU ministers are to decide whether to move forward Belgrade's application to join the bloc, M&C reported citing DPA. The meeting, due to take place in Brussels, was announced by Maja Kocijancic, a spokeswoman for EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton. Serbia wants to be recognized as an EU membership candidate, but the bloc's leaders postponed a decision on the matter in December, after ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo seriously injured German and Austrian NATO soldiers posted there. Belgrade was told then that it had to: achieve “further progress” on already-agreed cooperation deals with Kosovo, including on borders; strike new ones allowing Pristina to take part in regional cooperation fora; and cooperate with EU and NATO forces in Kosovo. EU foreign ministers are set to debate whether Serbia has met the conditions on February 27 - ahead of an EU summit on March 1-2 which might be able to take a decision on the country's candidate status. On Thursday Kocijancic also commented on the symbolic referendum this week which saw ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo overwhelmingly reject the authority of Pristina. The Serbian government in Belgrade had advised them against the move. “There is a particular situation in the north (of Kosovo) which needs a solution. Violence and barricades solve nothing. Nor do referenda. We will get to a solution only through calm, consultation and dialogue,” the spokeswoman said. She noted that the Serbian government officials “have also been very clear on this issue” - referring to their alignment with the EU's position. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |