Clinton and Dzurinda express different positions on Kosovo

"We discussed the foreign minister's opinions about what is happening in the Balkans. They coincide with mine, having just been there last week. We think that there is a great opportunity for Serbia to make progress in its ambition to be integrated into Europe. We think that Serbia and Kosovo have an opportunity now under EU sponsorship to engage in a dialogue to begin to solve the practical problems that are still between them. Certainly, the U.S. thinks that the issue of independence and sovereignty is decided by the International Court of Justice (ICJ)," Clinton explained.

"The unfinished business of integrating the Western Balkans and the Eastern countries into the European Union and the Euro-Atlantic institutions is something we totally agree on. And I think we both have the same goals," she added.

"Obviously, we would like to see more countries recognize Kosovo, now that the International Court of Justice decision has been determined. But we also know that it's important to keep working to bridge the historical divisions so that we can have a region that is peaceful and stable and moving toward Europe," the U.S. secretary of state stressed.

The Slovak FM praised Clinton's role in the Western Balkans but repeated that Slovakia would not recognize the independence of Kosovo.

"It is not a goal to recognize Kosovo. The goal is to help or to facilitate, to establish relations between Belgrade and Pristina which will be good, smooth, and what is essential, sustainable. This is the goal," he concluded.