Von der Leyen: Normalisation of Belgrade-Pristina relations needed, violence unacceptable

BELGRADE - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in Belgrade on Tuesday normalisation of Belgrade-Pristina relations was necessary and that violence was completely unacceptable.

"The violent attack of September 24 in North Kosovo is completely unacceptable. The perpetrators must be held accountable and brought to justice. This is absolutely crucial for both (parties) to engage and to go the path of normalisation," von der Leyen said at a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

"In this respect, it is important that Serbia endorses the statute of the Association Community. Kosovo has to implement this statute. In addition, it is essential that Serbia begins the implementation of the existing agreements and does not lose time on this," she said.

"Going forward with that, the right place to discuss all these issues is the...