Serbia, Kosovo Spar Ahead of New Brussels Talks

Germany's ambassador in Belgrade, Axel Dittmann, has denied that Berlin wants EU foreign police chief Federica Mogherini replaced as the organiser of EU-led negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo on normalisation of relations.

"It is not true that Germany wishes to replace the special negotiator; the dialogue is organised by the EU and Federica Mogherini. She is the key person representing the European Union," Dittmann told the regional TV station N1.

The statement follows reports that several EU countries are displeased with Mogherini for not informing them of the details of what a final normalisation agreement might look like.

Meanwhile, Kosovo President Hashim Thaci called for a "historic settlement" with Belgrade on Wednesday, when he said that Kosovo and Serbia should sign a legally binding document on the normalisation of relations.

"I believe that after 20 years of talks, the time has come to sign a historic agreement that will close a century-long tragic era," Thaci said.

However, he annoyed Belgrade by saying that defining the border between Serbia and Kosovo should be one of the topics of Sunday's meeting, which Serbia has rejected as an issue.

Kosovo's Deputy Prime Minister Enver Hoxhaj further complicated the situation by saying that the long-awaited Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities - which Serbia insists is the priority - should be formed - but at the same time as Kosovo becomes a member of the UN.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday said that it would be better for no one to go to Brussels on Sunday if Kosovo Albanians espouse those attitudes.

"I called Brussels last night and said that if that is the Albanians' stance, let's not waste time by coming [to Brussels]," Vucic said,...