Barroso: Crucial week for both Serbia and Kosovo

This may be a crucial year and this is a crucial week in this important year, Barroso said on the eve of the fifth round of talks between Prime Minister Taci with Serbia's Prime Minister Ivica Dacic, which will begin in Brussels today. Barroso expressed his expectation that this round "will take place in the same constructive spirit as their previous meetings" and that it would lead to progress in the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina. “The results of the dialogue are critically important for EU relations with both Kosovo and Serbia,” said the president of the European Commission. Barroso said Pristina should do more when it comes to public administration reform, protection of minorities, rule of law and implementation of European Commission's recommendations regarding visa liberalization. Barroso said that Kosovo is making progress towards Europe, “step by step,” despite the fact that five EU member states have not recognized its independence, adding that “2013 could see a decision on opening negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement - if the required progress is made.” The SAA is consistent with Kosovo's current status, he said. Taci said that he is aware that the normalization of relations with Belgrade is something that he owes to future generations, stressing that Kosovo is on good terms with all other neighbors. Asked how far he is willing to go when it comes to the status of northern Kosovo, Taci said that the situation in the north is not the same as in other parts of Kosovo. This issue cannot be resolved without the normalization of relations with Serbia, he said. After meeting with Barroso, Taci is meeting with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, and should begin his talks with Dacic in the office of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ahton early in the afternoon.