BRUSSELS, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Serbia and Kosovo resumed talks on Tuesday in Brussels after a nine-month break, opening a "new chapter" in the dialogue between the two sides, said a European Union (EU) official.
"Both leaders confirmed that there is no other way forward but to normalize relations," said Miroslav Lajcak, the EU's special representative for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue.
"They are both committed to working on comprehensive normalization of relations through the dialogue," he added.
The meeting was attended by Aleksandar Vucic, president of Serbia, and Albin Kurti, the newly elected leader of the government of Kosovo.
Lajcak and Josep Borrell, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, facilitated the conversation. Borrell underlined that the wellbeing of the people should be the leaders' first priority.
"The dialogue and its outcome are the path toward the European future of both sides," Borrell said, as Serbia and Kosovo have both submitted their application to join the 27-member bloc.
Borrell also argued that normalized relations between Serbia and Kosovo would bring stability to the Western Balkan region.
Bilateral relations "are very important for the stability of the whole region, for long-term stability, for economic progress. Without an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, these will be jeopardized," Borrell said.
Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Serbia rejects it and considers Kosovo its own province. Since 2011, the EU has been mediating the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue between the two sides.
Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, in mid-April called for the resumption of dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade as soon as possible, citing that the issue is essential to peace and stability in the Balkans and in Europe as a whole. Enditem
