Pristina, April 26 (Xinhua) -- The President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, made it clear in Pristina on Thursday that there is no way ahead towards the European integration process for Kosovo without a normalisation of relations with Serbia.
"Without a comprehensive normalisation of relations with Serbia and full implementation of the agreements I do not see how a breakthrough in the relations with the EU could be achieved," said Tusk during a press conference after meeting with the President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci.
Tusk paid a short visit to Kosovo on Thursday, as part of a tour to the region, as he said, to prepare for the EU and Western Balkans Summit that will take place in Sofia, on May 17.
President Thaci said that Kosovo is committed to the dialogue for the normalisation of relations with Serbia, during the EU-facilitated dialogue. According to him it means the implementation of the agreements reached so far, and the progress towards an international legal binding agreement between Pristina and Belgrade.
"Kosovo remains interested not only in continuing the dialogue with Serbia, but converting into a proper process of reconciliation and building a sustainable peace in the region," said Thaci. He announced a visit to Berlin in May, to discuss the dialogue process with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The European Union has confirmed that President Thaci is invited at the upcoming EU-Western Balkans summit in Sofia next month. But, the presence of Kosovo has triggered reactions among some of the five EU member states that still don't recognise the independence of Kosovo. There were a number of reports that Spain is most vocal in objecting to the presence of Kosovo leaders at the summit.
However, Tusk said that during this summit the EU should first and foremost reaffirm its unequivocal support for the European perspective of the region.
"Just like I expect the EU will welcome the Western Balkan partners, strategic choice and shared commitment to the European principles, values and unity," said Tusk by claiming that the EU is and will continue to be the most reliable partner for the entire region.
